Effectiveness of a new canal brushing technique in removing calcium hydroxide from the root canal system: A scanning electron microscope study

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of Canal Brush technique removal Ca(OH)(2) from the root canal system using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen teeth were instrumented up to #40 and dressed with Ca(OH)(2). Ca(OH)(2) was removed with master apical file (MAF) (Group 1, n:6) and CanalBrush technique (Group 2, n:6). Six teeth served as positive and negative controls. The roots were splited in the buccolingual direction and prepared for SEM examination. Two examiners evaluated the wall cleanliness then statistical analysis was performed by Mann-Whitney U and Friedman tests. RESULTS: Differences in cleanliness were observed between Group 1 and Group 2 in the apical thirds (P=0.002). In the coronal and middle thirds, there were no differences between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: It is essential to re-instrument the root canal walls using instrumentation techniques while irrigating with NaOCl and EDTA combination. The Canal Brush technique results in the packing effect of the Ca(OH)(2) through to the apex.