Efficacy of Sonic and Ultrasonic Irrigation Techniques in Calcium Hydroxide Paste Removal:A Micro-Computed Tomography Study
- Author:
Hye-Won CHUNG
1
;
Kun-Hwa SUNG
;
Tae-Young PARK
;
Ho-Keel HWANG
;
Hyoung-Hoon JO
Author Information
- Publication Type:ORIGINAL ARTICLE
- From:Journal of Korean Dental Science 2026;19(1):1-9
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:This study compared the efficacy of different irrigation methods for the removal of Ca(OH)2 paste from the root canal.
Materials and Methods:The root canals of 75 human mandibular premolars with standardized 15-mm canal lengths were prepared using nickel-titanium rotary files. After drying, the canals were filled with Ca(OH)2 paste. The teeth were divided into five groups: Control group (Group C), conventional irrigation; Group EA, sonic activation (EndoActivator); Groups EQA and EQB, sonic activation (EQ-S with metal tips A and B, respectively); and Group EU, ultrasonic activation (EndoUltra).The Ca(OH)2 paste volume before and after irrigation was measured using micro-computed tomography (CT) images. One specimen from each group was bisected along the long axis, and the canal walls were evaluated at 100× magnification using a scanning electron microscope. Statistical analyses were performed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests.
Results:Overall, Ca(OH)2 paste removal was higher in Group EQA than in Group C. In the coronal third, removal rate was higher in Group EQA than in Group C. In the middle third, Groups EQB and EU outperformed Group C. Removal from the apical third was higher in Group EQA than in Group C. All groups showed greater removal from the coronal and middle thirds than from the apical third.
Conclusion:Sonic and ultrasonic irrigation methods demonstrated higher efficacy than conventional irrigation method for the removal of Ca(OH)2 paste from the root canal. All groups demonstrated better effectiveness in removal from the coronal and middle thirds than from the apical third.
