Effect of laser-activated irrigation on smear layer removal and sealer penetration: An in vitro study

INTRODUCTION: The present study was carried out with the objective of evaluation of efficacy of two root canal irrigants (LARGAL ULTRA and Biopure mixture of tetracycline, acid, and detergent [MTAD]) in smear layer removal and sealer penetration along the canal walls and to apprise any change in their efficacy when they were activated with two different types of lasers (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet [Nd:YAG] and erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet [Er:YAG]). The analysis was done with the help of confocal laser scanning microscope. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The curved root canals (>20°) from 140 extracted human molars (negative control, n = 20) were prepared to size #25.06 with NaOCl irrigation. Teeth were divided into two experimental groups with sample size 60 each (Group I, II). Groups further divided into subgroups IA, IB, and IC and IIA, IIB, and IIC with sample size twenty each. Group IA, Largal Ultra irrigation without LAI; Group IB, Largal Ultra irrigation with Nd:YAG; Group IC, Largal ultra with Er:YAG; Group IIA, MTAD irrigation without LAI; Group IIB, MTAD irrigation with Nd:YAG; Group IIC, MTAD irrigation with Er:YAG. Teeth were obturated with gutta-percha and fluorescent dye labeled sealer. Transverse sections at 3 mm from root apex were examined with confocal laser scanning microscopy, and the percentage of sealer penetration into dentinal tubules was measured. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Analysis of variance calculated (e.g., one-way between-subjects ANOVA) and Tukey's test was performed for each mean comparison. RESULTS: Difference between control and Group IIc (65.48 ± 0.57) was highest, followed by control and Group Ic (54.92 ± 0.57) and minimum between Group Ib and Group IIa (0.23 ± 0.57). Order of percent diffusion in the present study was: Group IIc > Group Ic > Group IIb > Group Ib ≈ Group IIa > Group Ia > Control (P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: It was inferred that, among the two irrigating solutions tested, Biopure MTAD is more proficient than Largal Ultra. Laser activation of final irrigating solution has been shown to allow better sealer penetration, with Er:YAG laser being more potent than Nd:YAG laser.