Effect of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, maleic acid, and fumaric acid on postendodontic treatment root fracture toughness – An in vitro study

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasonic activation of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), maleic acid (MA), and fumaric acid (FA) in combination with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) on postendodontic treatment root fracture toughness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty single-rooted mandibular premolars were sectioned below the cementoenamel junction and were kept on average 14 mm long. With the exception of eight randomly selected teeth acting as a negative control group (Group I/nonprepared), the rest were prepared till F3. Thirty-two specimens were randomly placed into four groups equally and then irrigated using the final irrigation protocols. Saline and NaOCl were used to irrigate Group II, 17% EDTA and NaOCl were used to irrigate Group III, 7% MA and NaOCl were used to irrigate Group IV, and 0.7% FA and NaOCl were used to irrigate Group V. The irrigants were ultrasonically activated in every group. The root canals were obturated with gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer. The roots were embedded along the long axis in the self-curing acrylic blocks along with polyvinyl siloxane, leaving the coronal 2 mm of the root exposed. The specimens were tested using a universal testing machine. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The Post hoc Tamhane’s and one-way ANOVA tests were applied to examine the data. RESULTS: The result of the study revealed that 0.7% FA (598.09 N) provided better root fracture resistance than EDTA (428.07 N) and MA (511.87 N). CONCLUSION: The conclusion derived from the study was that 0.7% FA provided better fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth when compared to 17% EDTA and 7% MA.