Scanning Electron Microscopic Evaluation of Root Canal Surfaces Prepared with LightSpeed & Endowave Rotary System

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare the cleaning efficiency on root canal surfaces prepared with LightSpeed and Endowave rotary instruments.

A total of 30 freshly extracted human mandibular premolars were subjected for the study. They were divided into two groups, each group consisting of 15 teeth. Group 1: The canals were prepared with LightSpeed system. Group 2: Endowave rotary system. All the groups were prepared according to manufacturer's recommendation, using 5.25% sodium hypochlorite and 17% EDTA (dent wash, prime dent) alternately as an irrigants. Crowns of each tooth were removed with diamond disks at the level of cement enamel junction. Canal length was determined by placing a size 10 K-file. The working length was 0.5 mm short of canal length. Two longitudinal grooves were prepared on the lingual and buccal surfaces of each root to facilitate vertical splitting with a chisel after canal instrumentation. The sections were then observed under SEM for presence or absence of debris and smear layer and the photographs were taken at coronal, middle and apical 1/3 with a magnification of 200 X and 1000X respectively. The scores recorded were statistically analysed using one-way-ANOVA and Mann- Whitney test.

There was statistically significant difference between two groups. All groups resulted in significantly more debris and smear layer in the apical 1/3 of the canal, compared to coronal and middle 1/3 (p, <0.01).

The study demonstrated that, LightSpeed instrumentation removed debris and smear layer more effectively on root canal surface than compared to Endowave instrument.