A Scanning Electron Microscopy Analysis of the Impact of EDTA and Citric Acid on the Removal of Smear Layers in the Mesial Canals of First Mandibular Molars

Abstract

Background: This in vitro investigation set out to ascertain how EDTA and citric acid affected the clearance of smear layers in various root canal locations. Materials and Method: 48 recently removed adult human mandibular first molar teeth with
mesial roots that were 20–23 mm long and bent between 15 and 45 degrees were utilized in this investigation. The crown down method of instrumentation was carried out by hand and rotary filing. NaOCl was the irrigant utilized in the instrumentation. Three groups of teeth were identified. Group I received an irrigation of 17% EDTA, Group II received a treatment of 7% citric acid, and Group III received a treatment of 5.25% NaOCl as a control. Following that, the mesial roots were divided in half and examined using scanning electron microscopy