Efficacy of different devices in removing calcium hydroxide from the root canal

Objectives: The aim was to compare the efficiency of removing calcium hydroxide (CH) with different devices and irrigants. Materials and Methods: Ten roots were served as positive and negative controls, the remaining roots (n=75) were assigned into 5 respect to the removal techniques: Group (G) I, Master apical file- manual needle irrigation (MNI); GII, Canal Brush (CB)-MNI; GIII, RinsEndo; GIV, Self-adjusting file(SAF)-Vatea; GV, CB+MNI, followed by SAF+Vatea. The roots were grooved longitudinally and split into halves.  Three specimens from each group were randomly selected to evaluate CH remnants under the SEM. A digital camera acquired images of each half of the canal. A scoring system was used to assess amount of residue. Data were analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests (p < 0.05). Results: Remnants of CH were found in all experimental groups. Examining the efficacy of CH removal from the each third of the canal showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the middle (p=0,003) and cervical (p=0,006) thirds. Conclusions: None of the techniques removed the CH medicament completely; the use of the RE and SAF facilitated removal of CH especially from the cervical third.