RESUMO
BACKGROUND: There is insufficient information available in the literature about the efficacy of laser-activated irrigation (LAI) in removing dentine debris at different coronal-apical levels of the root canal system (RCS). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of erbium (LAI) in removing dentine debris from different coronal-apical levels of the RCS when compared to passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) and conventional irrigation (CI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-five single-rooted human teeth were split longitudinally into halves. In each sample, a standardized groove was cut 2-6 mm from the apex along the canal wall of the 1st half, and another standardized groove was cut 10-14 mm from the apex along the canal wall of the 2nd half. Each groove was filled with dentine debris mixed with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) 5.25%. The samples were assigned to 3 experimental groups according to the irrigant activation techniques (n = 15); (a) CI group, (b) PUI group and (c) LAI group. The amount of the remaining dentine debris was identified and scored using a stereomicroscope. RESULTS: Laser-activated irrigation removed significantly more debris than PUI and CI systems. The efficacy of dentine debris removal was not affected by the root canal third within all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Erbium LAI enhances dentine debris removal from the artificial irregularities in the RCS.
