COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF SMEAR LAYER REMOVAL AFTER THE USE OF NAOCL WITH 17% EDTA VERSUS SILVER CITRATE AS ROOT CANAL IRRIGANT – A SEM STUDY

*Dr. Shashikumar G., Dr. Dharam Hinduja, Dr. Abdul Mujeeb, Dr. Raghu K. N., Dr. Ashwini K. S.

ABSTRACT

This study was aimed at evaluating the efficacy of a novel silver-citrate solution (BioAKT) compared with NaOCl and EDTA on smear layer removal. Single-rooted teeth were endodontically treated and irrigated using: Group I: 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) with 17% EDTA as final rinse; Group II: BioAKT (Silver Citrate solution). Smear layer removal at apical portion of each canal were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Chi-square test was applied to associate the grades of smear layer with the groups. At the apical portion novel silver citrate solution performed significantly better compared to NaOCl + 17% EDTA in smear layer removal (p=0.31). In conclusion, novel silver citrate solution represents a suitable smear layer removal agent.

Keywords: Endodontic irrigants, Smear layer, BioAKT, NaOCl, EDTA.