Assessing Conventional and Ultrasonic Irrigation for Debris and Smear Layer Removal in Primary Teeth: An In Vitro Scanning Electron Microscopy Study
alaskar, R., Awad, S., Hammouda, H. (2025). Assessing Conventional and Ultrasonic Irrigation for Debris and Smear Layer Removal in Primary Teeth: An In Vitro Scanning Electron Microscopy Study. EKB Journal Management System, 71(3), 1975-1993. doi: 10.21608/edj.2025.368544.3460
rashed alaskar; Salwa Mohamed Awad; Hossam Elsherbiny Hammouda. "Assessing Conventional and Ultrasonic Irrigation for Debris and Smear Layer Removal in Primary Teeth: An In Vitro Scanning Electron Microscopy Study". EKB Journal Management System, 71, 3, 2025, 1975-1993. doi: 10.21608/edj.2025.368544.3460
alaskar, R., Awad, S., Hammouda, H. (2025). 'Assessing Conventional and Ultrasonic Irrigation for Debris and Smear Layer Removal in Primary Teeth: An In Vitro Scanning Electron Microscopy Study', EKB Journal Management System, 71(3), pp. 1975-1993. doi: 10.21608/edj.2025.368544.3460
alaskar, R., Awad, S., Hammouda, H. Assessing Conventional and Ultrasonic Irrigation for Debris and Smear Layer Removal in Primary Teeth: An In Vitro Scanning Electron Microscopy Study. EKB Journal Management System, 2025; 71(3): 1975-1993. doi: 10.21608/edj.2025.368544.3460

Assessing Conventional and Ultrasonic Irrigation for Debris and Smear Layer Removal in Primary Teeth: An In Vitro Scanning Electron Microscopy Study

Egyptian Dental Journal
Volume 71, Issue 3 - Serial Number 1, July 2025, Page 1975-1993  XML PDF (2.43 MB)
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.21608/edj.2025.368544.3460
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Authors
rashed alaskar email orcid 1; Salwa Mohamed Awadorcid 2; Hossam Elsherbiny Hammoudaorcid 3
1MSc, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
2Professor of Pediatric Dentistry Faculty of Dentistry, Mansoura University
3Lecturer of Pediatric Dentistry Faculty of Dentistry, Mansoura University
Abstract
This in vitro study compared the efficacy of conventional irrigation with a lateral vent needle using 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) versus ultrasonic irrigation with 2.5% NaOCl in removing debris and smear layer from primary molars. Twenty-eight primary molars were randomly assigned to two groups (n=14 each). After standardized root canal preparation, Group I underwent conventional irrigation, and Group II received ultrasonic irrigation. Debris and smear layer were evaluated using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) at 200× and 1000× magnifications, respectively, across coronal, middle, and apical thirds, with scores ranging from 1 (clean) to 5 (dirty). Statistical analysis using ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U tests revealed that ultrasonic irrigation significantly outperformed conventional irrigation in debris and smear layer removal across all root canal thirds (p < 0.001). The apical third showed the highest debris and smear layer scores in both groups, but ultrasonic irrigation consistently achieved lower scores. These findings suggest that ultrasonic irrigation with 2.5% NaOCl is more effective for enhancing root canal cleanliness in primary teeth, potentially improving pulpectomy outcomes. Further clinical studies are needed to validate these results.
Keywords
Primary teeth; pulpectomy; ultrasonic irrigation; smear layer; debris removal
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