A Comparative Evaluation of Intracanal Calcium Hydroxide Removal with Hand File, Rotary File, and Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation: An In Vitro Study

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of hand file (K-file), rotary file (HERO shaper), and passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI; U-file) in removing Ca(OH)(2) from the root canal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty single-rooted teeth were collected and decoronated to standardize the length to 14 mm. Cleaning and shaping were conducted using HERO shaper rotary files (up to no. 25, 4% taper). Ca(OH)(2) powder was mixed with normal saline and filled into the canals using lentulo spiral and the orifice was sealed with zinc oxide eugenol. After 7 days of incubation, samples were divided into three groups of 10 samples each: Group I (hand files)—no. 20 K-file; Group II (rotary files)—no. 25, 4% HERO shaper; Group III (PUI)—no. 20 U-file. Ca(OH)(2) paste was removed using 2 mL of 3% sodium hypochlorite solution followed by 1-minute activation of the respective file system. All the samples were finally irrigated with 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and flushed with distilled water. RESULTS: Ultrasonic group was more effective in removing Ca(OH)(2) followed by HERO shaper and hand file. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that PUI had the highest ability to remove Ca(OH)(2) from the root canal walls.