Scanning electron microscopic study of smear layer changes following ultrasonic endoactivator irrigation system during root canal treatment of primary teeth

Aims Evaluation of smear layer changes following ultrasonic endoactivator irrigation system during root canal treatment of primary teeth under Electron Microscope. Settings and design The study was conducted as a clinical trial. The laboratory part was carried out at Pediatric Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Tanta University, scanning electron microscopic analysis was conducted at electron microscope unit, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University. Patients and methods A total of 40 intact, extracted primary canines (due to serial extraction) were collected and randomly divided into four equal groups' including 10 teeth for each. Group I: irrigation of root canal with sodium hypochlorite by a plastic syringe with end-vented needle. Group II: irrigation of root canal by a plastic syringe with side-vented needle. Group III: the same of group I in conjunction with ultrasonic endoactivator. Group IV: the same of group II in conjunction with ultrasonic endoactivator. Then preparation of specimens was done for scanning electron microscope. Results It was noticed that groups III and IV that used ultrasonic endoactivator had lower scores of smear layer amount than the other groups. Conclusions Ultrasonic endoactivator system in conjunction with conventional irrigation could improve disinfection of the root canals of primary teeth.