Effectiveness of Self-Adjusting File, XP-endo Finisher, and passive ultrasonic irrigation in bacterial root canal control

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of complementary protocols of sanitization in decontamination of infected root canals. Methods: A total of 50 single-rooted maxilary anterior human teeth were selected. The crowns were removed and lengths standardized at 16 mm. The specimens were inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis and incubated at 37 °C for 60 days. Thirty teeth were prepared with Bio- Race instruments up to diameter corresponding to #60.02, and then complemented with Self-Adjusting File (SAF); XPendo Finisher (XPF) and passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI). Ten samples were used as positive control and ten were not contaminated. Initial and final samples were collected and incubated at 37 °C for a period of 48 hours. Bacterial growth was analyzed in culture, determining the presence or absence of bacteria. Optical density of the culture medium was interpreted by UV spectrophotometry. Specimens were sectioned and prepared for evaluation under SEM. Images of root surfaces were analyzed and classified by scores according to the presence of debris. Kruskal-Wallis test was used for statistical analysis. Level of significance was 5%. Results: Mean optical density (μm) of the sanification protocols showed bacterial reduction in all groups. The experimental groups did not present statistically significant differences (p = 0.196). Analysis of SEM images revealed no significant difference (p = 0.414) between groups scores. Conclusion: Complementary sanitization protocols reduced bacterial contamination.