UNLABELLED: Cleansing and shaping result in a smear layer on the instrumented canal wall surfaces. The smear layer may inhibit close contact between sealers and dentin, and inhibits diffusion of medicaments. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the effect of doxycycline hydrochloride (DH) on smear layer on intracanal walls. STUDY DESIGN: Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the remaining smear layer using different concentrations of DH. Single-canal palatal roots of extracted maxillary molars were irrigated with saline-15% EDTA; saline-25 mg/ml DH; saline-50 mg/ml DH; saline-100 mg/ml DH; NaOCl-15% EDTA; NaOCl-25 mg/ml DH; NaOCl-50 mg/ml DH; and NaOCl-100 mg/ml DH. The roots were fractured into halves and the amount of smear layer assessed in the middle and apical third. RESULTS: Doxycycline-HCl of 100 mg/ml was the most effective in removing smear layer. In the saline group, 100 mg/ml of DH was more effective than EDTA. In the hypochlorite group, 50 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml of DH were more effective than EDTA (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Doxycycline solution may be an effective irrigant.
UNLABELLED: Cleansing and shaping result in a smear layer on the instrumented canal wall surfaces. The smear layer may inhibit close contact between sealers and dentin, and inhibits diffusion of medicaments. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the effect of doxycycline hydrochloride (DH) on smear layer on intracanal walls. STUDY DESIGN: Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the remaining smear layer using different concentrations of DH. Single-canal palatal roots of extracted maxillary molars were irrigated with saline-15% EDTA; saline-25 mg/ml DH; saline-50 mg/ml DH; saline-100 mg/ml DH; NaOCl-15% EDTA; NaOCl-25 mg/ml DH; NaOCl-50 mg/ml DH; and NaOCl-100 mg/ml DH. The roots were fractured into halves and the amount of smear layer assessed in the middle and apical third. RESULTS:Doxycycline-HCl of 100 mg/ml was the most effective in removing smear layer. In the saline group, 100 mg/ml of DH was more effective than EDTA. In the hypochlorite group, 50 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml of DH were more effective than EDTA (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION:Doxycycline solution may be an effective irrigant.