[Effect of smear layer removal on bevelled and retrofilled teeth in vitro]

The "smear layer" is composed of debris that cover and insert into dentinal tubules. It is not really known if this form of debris may harbon viable bacterias or does form a barrier that enhances endodontic fillings by lining or plugging the tubules. The purpose of this study is to determine the role of the smear layer in leakage by using two groups of teeth in which the smear layer was removed of the root canals, in the first group and left into the roots in the second group. Some samples were beveled and all teeth were retrofilled after Root Canal Preparation, and then filled with India Ink. After examination of leakage under various conditions, it has been found a correlation between leakage and removal of smear layer.