Ultrasonic root-end preparation. Part 1. SEM analysis

Preparations of apical cavities in resected root ends using rotary burs, with and without citric acid rinse, and ultrasonic tips were compared based on the presence or absence of superficial debris and smear layer. Three groups of 20 extracted teeth each were prepared as follows; I, a size 010 round bur was used to prepare an apical cavity 2-3 mm down the long axis of the root; II, treatment as per group I followed by a 60-s rinse with a solution of 10:3 (10% citric acid, 3% Fe2Cl3); and III, an ultrasonic retrotip was used to prepare a 2-3 mm deep apical cavity. Roots were grooved longitudinally, split and prepared for SEM analysis at x100 and x780 magnification. Examiners were calibrated to a standardized grading system. Extensive statistical analyses indicated statistically significant differences within and among the groups (P < 0.05). Root-end preparation with a bur created a heavy smear layer at all levels of the preparation. This layer was partially removed during ultrasonic preparation in the apical two-thirds. A greater removal of the smear layer was achieved with the citric acid rinse (P < 0.05). Coronally, root-end preparations were contaminated with moderate to heavy amounts of debris with all techniques.