Effectiveness of smear removal methods through scanning electron microscopy

Authors

  • Denisse Naomi Loor Franco
  • Javier Andrés López Espinoza
  • Gabriela Zambrano Manzaba
  • Andrea Bermudez Velasquez

Keywords:

Smear, ultrasonic irrigation, sonic irrigation, dentinal tubules, scanning electron microscopy

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The importance of irrigation should be considered due to the impossibility of completely reaching the different parts of the root canal with instrumentation.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effectiveness using activation methods for smear removal by scanning electron microscopy.

METHODS: Sample of 45 uniradicular premolars, divided into 4 experimental groups and 1 control group. The pieces were instrumented with Wave One Gold Primary machined files. The same irrigation protocol was used for the 4 groups (5.25% NaClO, 2.5 ml saline and 17% EDTA) and the control group used only saline without activation. Differentiating the activation methods: Group A: Sonic activation with EDDY tips, Group B: Sonic activation with Dentsply Sirona EndoActivator, Group C: Ultrasonic activation with IRRI K VDW, Group D: Ultrasonic activation with Ultra-X EndoActivator.

RESULTS: Groups A and D scored the highest, but with no significant differences between them, indicating similar cleanliness. The EndoActivator is recommended as the first option, since it achieved the lowest score, standing out among the methods evaluated.

CONCLUSION: This study used a scanning electron microscope to evaluate the effectiveness of different activation methods in the removal of smear smear. The results highlighted the superiority of the EndoActivator, which removed smear in 60% of the samples, although no method achieved complete removal.

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Published

2025-05-29

How to Cite

1.
Loor Franco DN, López Espinoza JA, Zambrano Manzaba G, Bermudez Velasquez A. Effectiveness of smear removal methods through scanning electron microscopy. Rev Cubana Inv Bioméd [Internet]. 2025 May 29 [cited 2025 Aug. 9];44. Available from: https://revibiomedica.sld.cu/index.php/ibi/article/view/3842