The efficacy of various irrigation techniques on the removal of double antibiotic paste from simulated immature roots and the amount of apically extruded debris.

Objective: This study evaluated the effect of the XP-Endo Finisher (XPF), passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) and conventional irrigation using side-vented needle (SVN) on the amount of apically extruded debris and canal cleanliness following the removal of double antibiotic paste (DAP) from immature root canal models.

Material and methods: Forty-eight extracted mandibular premolars were drilled using peeso drills to simulate immature apices. The canals were filled with DAP and were randomly assigned into 3 groups according to the DAP removal method: XPF, PUI, and SVN (n = 16). The amount of extruded debris was assessed with an analytical balance then roots were split longitudinally and imaged using stereomicroscope to evaluate the residual medicament. Data were statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's test. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to determine significant correlation between extruded debris and the residual DAP scores.

Results: There was no significant difference between debris extrusion values for all groups (P value 0.237). For canal cleanliness, the amount of remaining DAP was significantly lower in the XPF and PUI compared to SVN (P value < 0.001). A non-significant positive (direct) correlation was found between the amounts of apically extruded debris and residual DAP scores (P value 0.087).

Conclusion: XPF and PUI were associated with better canal cleanliness during removal of DAP, no difference could be found between the three irrigation techniques regarding the debris extrusion.