role of some cleansing agents upon removal of dentinal-smeared layer: a scanning electron microscope study

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this paper was to study the role of some cleansing agents uponthe removal of smeared layer formed on the cut dentin surface. The differentcleansers used in the present study were EDTA, phosphoric acid, citric acid,ascorbic acid, sodium chloride and deionized water. The results of thepresent study showed that the application of EDTA, phosphoric acid andascorbic acid for one minute has removed the smeared layer formed onto the cutdentin surface. On the other hand, washing the cut dentin surface withdeionized water or NaCl for one minute did not remove the smeared layer. Theapplication time, upon the removal of the dentinal smeared layer, of thevarious inorganic acids used in the present work was also studied