Evaluation of 17% EDTA and 10% citric acid in smear layer removal and tubular dentin sealer penetration.

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of different chelating solutions (17% EDTA and 10% citric acid) on the smear layer removal, and their effect on tubular dentin sealer penetration. Sixty root canals were prepared and distributed into four groups (n = 15) according to the final irrigation protocol: G1, final irrigation with 2.5 mL of distilled water; G2, final irrigation with 2.5 mL of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite solution; G3, final irrigation with 2.5 mL of 17% EDTA; and G4, final irrigation with 2.5 mL of 10% citric acid. Five specimens from each group were not filled to assess smear layer removal by scanning electron microscopy. Ten specimens from each group were filled for analysis of sealer penetration into dentinal tubules by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Smear layer removal (Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's tests) and sealer penetration (F and Tukey's tests) were statistically analyzed with 95% of significance level. G3 and G4 had greater smear layer removal rates in the cervical and middle thirds, in comparison with G1 and G2 (p < .05). G3 and G4 had the highest percentages of sealer penetration in all thirds, in comparison with G1 and G2 (p < .05). Smear layer removal was effective only at the cervical and middle thirds when the chelating solutions were used. Sealer penetration into the dentinal tubules significantly increased in all root thirds when the specimens were treated with both chelating solutions.