Endodontic irrigant as a root conditioning agent: An in vitro scanning electron microscopic study evaluating the ability of MTAD to remove smear layer from periodontally affected root surfaces

Background

Instrumentation of the root surface, results in formation of a smear layer of organic and mineralized debris which serves as a physical barrier, inhibiting new connective tissue attachment to the root surface. The present study advocates the use of an endodontic irrigant MTAD (mixture of tetracycline, citric acid and detergent) as a root conditioning agent.

The main aim of the study was to compare the root conditioning ability of an endodontic irrigant MTAD (mixture of tetracycline, acid and detergent) with 17% EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid).

Materials and methods

Sixty freshly extracted human single rooted teeth with confirmed periodontal involvement were selected for this study and decoronated. The apical third of each root was removed and the remaining root was sectioned longitudinally to produce a 6 mm to 8 mm long tooth section. The root surface was then instrumented by hand using a sharp Gracey 1–2 periodontal curette with 6–8 strokes per area to achieve a smooth glass-like surface. A total of 60 specimens were prepared which were randomly divided into three groups (n=20). Each group received the root conditioning treatments as follows:

• Group A: Control Group: only saline rinsing.

• Group B: root conditioning treatment with 17% EDTA for 5 min.

• Group C: root conditioning treatment with BioPure MTAD for 5 min.

All specimens were prepared for SEM and scored according to the presence of smear layer.

Results and conclusions

MTAD removed the smear layer successfully from the root surfaces. The mean smear score for samples treated with Biopure MTAD was lower than those treated with EDTA, (p=0.04). MTAD can be used as a root conditioning agent with efficient smear layer removal ability and known antimicrobial and anticollagenase activity.