Under the conditions of these in vitro leakage studies , it is concluded that smear layer removal improves the fluid-tight seal of the root canal system whereas other factors such as the obturation technique or the sealer , did not produce significant effects
The purpose of this systematic review was to determine whether smear layer removal reduces leakage of obturated human teeth in vitro .
Assessment of coronal leakage in teeth root filled with gutta-percha and a glass of ionomer root canal sealer.
The effect on coronal leakage of the use of either a single gutta-percha cone or cold lateral condensation of gutta-percha , with a glass ionomer sealer cement was studied . In addition , the effect of the removal of the smear layer was also determined . Eighty-eight single-rooted teeth were prepared chemomechanically using h and files , with the balanced force technique . Lubrication was provided by either Hibiscrub ( maintaining the smear layer ) or an EDTA-containing paste ( to remove the smear layer ) . Copious irrigation was carried out with 2.2 % sodium hypochlorite . The teeth were allocated r and omly to four groups of 20 teeth each , the remaining eight teeth served as controls . Two groups of teeth , one with and one without smear layer , were obturated with either a single gutta-percha cone or cold laterally condensed gutta-percha , with Ketac Endo as the sealer . The teeth were stored for 6 weeks , thermocycled , and the extent of coronal leakage determined for each group after immersion in India ink for 90 h. The teeth were demineralized , dehydrated and immersed in methyl salicylate , which rendered them transparent . Linear measurement of maximum dye penetration was recorded . The mean depth ( + SD ) of leakage for the groups in which the smear layer was left intact was 1.68 mm ( + 0.38 ) for the single cone ( A1 ) and 2.29 mm ( + 1.58 ) for lateral condensation ( B1 ) . When the smear layer was removed the mean depth of leakage for the single cone group ( A2 ) was 2.04 mm ( + 0.73 ) and 2.37 mm ( + 1.70 ) for the laterally condensed group ( B2 ) . There was no significant difference in coronal leakage between the groups ( P > 0.05 )
Under the conditions of these in vitro leakage studies , it is concluded that smear layer removal improves the fluid-tight seal of the root canal system whereas other factors such as the obturation technique or the sealer , did not produce significant effects
The purpose of this systematic review was to determine whether smear layer removal reduces leakage of obturated human teeth in vitro .