Effect of different irrigant activation protocols on push-out bond strength.

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of various final irrigant activation protocols on push-out bond strength of fiber post. Thirty-two single-rooted human maxillar central teeth were sectioned below the cementoenamel junction, instrumented and obturated. Post-space preparation was performed, and roots were randomly divided into eight groups (n = 4) according to the final irrigant activation protocols; distilled water was used as an irrigant in group 1. The other groups were treated with 2.5% NaOCl and 17% EDTA. Conventional syringe irrigation (CSI, no activation) was used in group 2. Irrigation solutions were activated using passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI, group 3), EndoVac apical negative pressure (ANP, group 4), diode laser (group 5), neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser (group 6), erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser (group 7), and Er:YAG laser using with photon-induced photoacoustic streaming (PIPS™) technique (group 8). In all groups, fiber posts (White Post DC, FGM) were luted using Panavia F 2.0 (Kuraray, Osaka, Japan). The specimens were transversally sectioned, and all slices from coronal and apical regions were subjected to push-out tests. The data were calculated as megapascals and analyzed by using two-way analysis of variance followed by post hoc Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) tests. Removing the smear layer increased the bond strength to dentine when compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The highest bond strength was obtained in the PIPS laser-activated irrigation group (p < 0.05). Coronal root region presented significantly higher bond strength than the apical region (p < 0.05). PIPS laser-activated irrigation showed higher efficiency as a final irrigant activation protocol on push-out bond strength of fiber post.