In Vivo Debridement Efficacy of Ultrasonic Irrigation Following Hand-Rotary Instrumentation in Human Mandibular Molars

This study histologically compared the in vivo debridement efficacy of hand/rotary canal preparation versus a hand/rotary/ultrasound technique in mesial root canals of vital mandibular molars. Group 1 consisted of 16 teeth prepared with a hand/rotary technique whereas group 2 consisted of 15 teeth prepared in similar fashion but followed by 1 min of ultrasonic irrigation, per canal, utilizing an ultrasonic needle in a MiniEndo unit. Five uninstrumented mandibular molars served as histologic controls. After extraction and histologic preparation, 0.5 μm cross-sections, taken every 0.2 mm from the 1- to 3-mm apical levels, were evaluated for percentage of tissue removal. Nonparametric analysis revealed mean percent canal and isthmus cleanliness values to be significantly higher for group 2 at all levels evaluated, except one. In conclusion, the 1 min use of the ultrasonic needle after hand/rotary instrumentation resulted in significantly cleaner canals and isthmuses in the mesial roots of mandibular molars.