Effect of removal of the smear layer on apical microleakage

Abstract

It has been shown previously that the smear layer created during instrumentation of the root canal promotes apical microleakage. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of removal of the smear layer on apical microleakage, using the fluid filtration method. Thirty-six single-rooted human premolar teeth were used. Six of the teeth were selected randomly as controls, and the remaining 30 teeth were randomly divided into two groups of 15 teeth each. For the first group (group 1) teeth were irrigated with NaOCl only (smear layer not removed). In the second group (group 2) the teeth were irrigated with 15% EDTA, followed by NaOCl to remove the smear layer. Both groups were ..