The Effect of Two Natural Irrigations on Canal Cleanliness and Dentine Microhardness (In-Vitro Study)

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two different natural irrigations (Aloe vera and Propolis), as root canal irrigants regarding to: Canal cleanliness and Microhardness of root canal dentin. Sixty extracted human single rooted premolar teeth were used. Decoronation was done and standardization of length at 16 mm. Grooves were performed on the external mesial and distal surfaces to facilitate splitting after instrumentation. Samples were divided into two equal parts (30 each) according to the method of evaluation. Part I: For evaluation of canal cleanliness. Part II: For evaluation of microhardness of root canal dentin. Each part was further subdivided into three equal groups (10 each) according to the type of irrigant being used: • Group (1): 90% Aloe vera • Group (2): 4% Propolis • Group (3): 2.6% Sodium hypochlorite. Regarding to part I, root canal instrumentation, longitudinal sectioning of the samples were done. Images of the split roots were done by Stereomicroscope. Using the image analysis software, percentage of debris for each third was calculated. From each group two representative samples were selected blindly and gold sputtered to be viewed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) to investigate the smear layer removal. Regarding to Part II, the root samples were longitudinally split and both halves of each sample were embedded in autopolymerized acrylic resin. The measurements were taken using Vicker's microhardness tester at three thirds for each sample.