Comparison of efficacy of 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 0.2% chitosan nanoparticles, and QMIX2in1 in smear layer removal at apical third of root canal, using endovac system irrigation system – An in vitro scanning electron microscope study

Aims: To compare the smear layer removal efficacy of 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), 0.2% Chitosan nanoparticles, and QMIX 2 in 1 at apical third of root canal system, using Endovac system (Kerr, Switzerland) irrigation system and analyzed with the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Materials and Methods: Forty-five extracted mandibular single-rooted premolar noncarious human teeth were selected. The samples were randomly divided into three groups: Group 1: Irrigated with 1 ml of 17% EDTA, Group 2: With 0.2% Chitosan nanoparticles, and Group 3: With QMix2in1 (Dentsply Sirona, USA); 15 teeth in each group as final irrigant. The root canals were sequentially cleaned and shaped till 0.30 mm/0.09 taper and were irrigated with 1 ml of 5% sodium hypochlorite and 1 ml of 0.9% saline, after introducing each file into the canal. Endovac system (Kerr, Switzerland) system was used as delivering unit for all irrigation solutions with separate syringes. The tooth samples were sectioned and analyzed under SEM. The data obtained were analyzed using the Chi–square test. Results: All three irrigation solution in Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 removed smear layer. Group 3 showed a significant difference in smear layer removal from the root canal system than Group 1 and Group 2. Conclusions: The final irrigation with QMix2in1 (Dentsply Sirona, USA) solution aids in better smear layer removal at the apical third of the root canal system, using Endovac system (Kerr, Switzerland) irrigation system.