Efficacy of Different Manual and Sonic Agitation Procedures to Remove Calcium Hydroxide from A 3D Printed Root Canal Model with Artificial Spherical Extensions

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of two different needle types and three agitation methods to remove Calcium Hydroxide (CH) from root canals. A total of 75 3D printed root canal models with artificial spherical extensions were produced, filled with CH and radiographs were taken from two directions. Five groups were established (n=15) according to the removal techniques: group 1, Syringe Irrigation (SI); group 2, Eddy Flex Cannula (EFC); group 3, Manual Dynamic Agitation (MDA); group 4, Endo Activator (EA); and group 5, SmartLite Pro Endo Activator (PEA). Sodium hypochlorite (2.5 mL, 5%) served as an irrigant and was agitated for 30 seconds in groups 3-5. After the procedure, additional radiographs were taken and CH remnants were measured. Best results in terms of total CH reduction were observed in the PEA group, followed by EA, MDA, EFC and SI. EA and PEA were significantly more effective than SI and EFC. No technique could achieve complete CH removal.