Retrievabilty of calcium hydroxide intracanal medicament with Chitosan from root canals: An in vitro CBCT volumetric analysis

AIM: This study compared the amount of aqueous-based and oil-based calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)(2) ] remaining in the canal, after removal with two different chelators 17% EDTA and 0.2% Chitosan in combination with ultrasonic agitation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cleaning and shaping of root canals of 28 mandibular premolar was done and canals were filled either with Metapex or Ca(OH)(2) mixed with distilled water. Volumetric analysis was performed utilizing cone beam-computed tomography (CBCT) after 7 days of incubation. Ca(OH)(2) was removed using either 17% EDTA or 0.2% Chitosan in combination with ultrasonic agitation. Volumetric analysis was repeated and percentage difference was calculated and statistically analysed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Both the chelators failed to remove aqueous-based as well as oil-based Ca(OH)(2) completely from the root canal. Aqueous-based Ca(OH)(2) was easier to be removed than oil-based Ca(OH)(2). 0.2% Chitosan was significantly more effective for removal of oil-based Ca(OH)(2) (P < 0.01) while both 17% EDTA and 0.2% Chitosan were equally effective in removing aqueous-based Ca(OH)(2) . CONCLUSION: Combination of 0.2% Chitosan and ultrasonic agitation results in lower amount of Ca(OH)(2) remnants than 17% EDTA irrespective of type of vehicle present in the mix.