An innovative technique to safely perform active cleaning in teeth with open apices: CAB technique

The current study aims to evaluate in vitro the extrusion of NaOCl, using an artificial root canal with an open apex, using different canal irrigation protocols. For this study, a transparent artificial root canal was used. The apex was shaped to be oversized and irregular in form. After root canal mechanical shaping, the artificial cylindrical chamber, which was made below the large apical foramen, was filled with fuchsine-stained bovine pulp tissue. Afterward, irrigation protocols were carried out and compared regarding their safety with regards to irrigant extrusion. Subsequently, the examiner created two groups, Group A: internal heating associated with ultrasonic activation and Group B: internal heating associated with ultrasonic activation, using the CAB technique. In both the groups, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution was used as the irrigant. Regarding assessing the presence or absence of the extrusion, photographs at ×20 were taken and analyzed. For the statistical analysis, a t-test for paired samples was used. Extrusion of irrigant beyond the apex was present only in Group A. The main objective of endodontic treatment is the removal of damaged tissues and bacteria. For this reason, active cleaning is crucial in all endodontic treatment cases. Internal heating followed with ultrasonic activation while using the CAB technique was an effective and safe technique to ensure no irrigant extrusion beyond the open apex.