Abstract:

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the efficiency of 6 irrigation protocols in eliminating bacteria in root canals of immature permanent teeth.

Materials and methods: Root segments of 10 mm were created form immature permanent teeth. The segments were inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis for 2 weeks. Canals were disinfected by 1) passive ultrasonic irrigation; 2)continuous irrigation with sodium hypochlorite and EDTA; 3) XP-Endo finisher, sodium hypochlorite and EDTA; 4) XP-Endo finisher, sodium hypochlorite and citric acid; 5) Gentlefile brush, sodium hypochlorite and EDTA; 6) Gentlefile brush, sodium hypochlorite and citric acid.

Dentinal chips were collected from the canals. Colony forming units were counted, and the effectiveness of each disinfection protocol was reported in terms of log10 bacterial growth reduction.

Results: The number of microorganisms in the ultrasound-activated samples was reduced the least, followed by those prepared according to the American Association of Endodontic Protocol, and segments prepared with Gentlefile and EDTA. The reduction in the number of colony forming units is most significant in the samples treated with XP-Endo Finisher and EDTA, with XP-Endo Finisher and citric acid, and Gentlefile and citric acid, with no statistically significant difference between the three groups (p>0.05).

Conclusions: By supplementing the irrigation protocol with minimal mechanical instrumentation, a more efficient reduction of the microflora is achieved in immature permanent teeth.