Evaluation of the efficacy of different irrigation activation techniques in removing of calcium hydroxide on teeth with the simulated internal root resorption cavity: a confocal laser scanning microscope analysis.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of different irrigation activation methods on root canal sealer penetration in teeth with simulated internal root resorption (IRR) and calcium hydroxide (CH) applied using a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). 60 incisors with a single root and a single canal were included in the study. IRR cavities were created in the middle third of the root canal, and CH was placed. The samples were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 15) according to the irrigation activation method to be tested: standard needle irrigation (SNI), sonic activation (EDDY), photon-induced photoacoustic flow (PIPS), and shock wave enhanced emission photoacoustic flow (SWEEPS). After irrigation activation applications, the root canals were obturated. Sections of 1.0 ± 0.1 mm were taken from the apical, middle, and coronal regions of each sample. The penetration area (µm²) and maximum penetration depth (µm) of the root canal sealer were examined by CLSM and analyzed using ImageJ software. Statistical analysis was performed with a one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey test at the P < 0.05 significance level. Among all irrigation activation methods tested, both the penetration area and maximum penetration depth of the root canal sealer were greater in the coronal region than in the apical region (p < 0.05). In the IRR region, there was no difference in terms of maximum penetration depth between PIPS and SWEEPS (p > 0.05), it was highest in SWEEPS (p < 0.05). PIPS and SWEEPS were better than other irrigation activation methods in the penetration of root canal sealer in the resorption areas of teeth with IRR.