Effect of Shortened Irrigation Times with 17% Ethylene Diamine Tetra-acetic Acid on Smear Layer Removal after Rotary Canal Instrumentation

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether irrigation times of 1 minute or less with 1 mL of 17% ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) effectively removed the smear layer from root canals after rotary instrumentation. Forty single-canal teeth were decoronated, instrumented, and divided into 3 experimental groups (n = 10). Ten teeth served as positive and negative controls. The experimental groups received a final rinse with 1 mL of 17% EDTA for 1 minute, 30 seconds, or 15 seconds followed by a final 3-mL rinse with 6% NaOCl. Teeth were split longitudinally and prepared for scanning electron microscopy imaging. Digital images (350×) of the approximate center of the coronal, middle, and apical sections were graded for quality of smear layer removal by 3 endodontists. Data were analyzed with nonparametric tests, with significance level set at α = .05. Significantly greater smear layer removal was found in the 1-minute EDTA irrigation group than the 30-second or 15-second groups.