DOI: 10.36347/sjds.2015.v02i02.006

Pages: 132-136

Abstract: The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of Chitosan and Morinda citrifolia juice with EDTA on smear layer removal from the instrumented root canals. The methodology includes preparation of forty four extracted single rooted human permanent teeth by crown down preparation. During instrumentation, the canals were irrigated with 1ml of 3% Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl). Samples were divided into four groups based on the final irrigation. Group 1(n=11): 0.2% Chitosan (CH), Group 2(n=11): Morinda citrifolia juice (MCJ), Group 3(n=11): 17% Ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), Group 4(n=11): without any final irrigation (control group). Teeth were sectioned and observed for smear layer removal at apical, middle and coronal thirds under Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Results were analyzed statistically by Kruskal– Wallis test and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test and it was shown that the three experimental groups were significantly more effective in smear layer removal than the control group. There was no significant difference between Chitosan and EDTA groups. Chitosan group was significantly better than MCJ group (p< 0.05). Smear layer removal was better at coronal third followed by middle third and apical third for all the groups. It was concluded that 0.2% chitosan and 17% EDTA effectively removed the smear layer when compared to Morinda citrifolia juice.