Ametrano G, D'Antò V, Di Caprio MP, Simeone M, Rengo S, Spagnuolo G. Effects of sodium hypochlorite and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on rotary nickeltitanium instruments evaluated using atomic force microscopy. International Endodontic Journal, 44, 203-209, 2011.Aim To use atomic force microscopy (AFM) to evaluate the effects of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on the surface characteristics of ProTaper rotary nickel-titanium instruments. Methodology A total of twenty ProTaper (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) instruments (S1, S2, F1, F2) were divided into five groups: no immersion, immersion in 5.25% NaOCl for 5 or 10 min and immersion in 17% EDTA for 5 or 10 min. Twenty surface areas along 3-mm sections at the tip of the files (perfect squares of 1 · 1 lm) were analysed by AFM operating in contact mode under ambient conditions. Three-dimensional images (400 · 400 lines) were processed using Gwyddion software, and the roughness average (Ra) and the root mean square value (RMS) of the scanned surface profiles were recorded. Data were analysed by means of anova and paired samples t-test. Results Three-dimensional AFM images of the surface of ProTaper instruments, including new and those immersed in NaOCl and EDTA solutions, revealed topographic irregularities at the nanometric scale. RMS and Ra values of instruments treated with NaOCl and EDTA solutions were statistically higher than that of the new ones (P < 0.05). Conclusions Atomic force microscopy threedimensional images and roughness values indicated that short-term contact between NaOCl and EDTA endodontic irrigants and ProTaper instruments caused alterations in the surface of instruments.