Efficacy of different root canal irrigation activation techniques on microbial reduction in vivo study

Abstract Aim To clinically evaluate the effectiveness of easy clean in reciprocation movement (ECR) as a root canal irrigation activation technique in comparison to conventional needle irrigation (CNI) in the reduction of bacterial count, through microbiological collection, and culture method. Patients and methods A total of 16 patients with single-rooted, single-canal teeth with primary endodontic infection were selected for this study. Initial microbial sample (S1) was taken from the root canal after access cavity preparation under complete aseptic condition with an absorbent paper point; subsequently, instrumentation was performed with ProTaper Universal rotary system then the second microbial sample (S2) was taken. Then cases were randomly divided into two groups according to the final irrigation activation method (n = 8); group 1: CNI; group 2: ECR. In the two tested groups, 2 ml of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite was applied with a side-vented needle and then in ECR group it was activated using Easy Clean (EC) for 20 s at 2 mm from working length (WL). This procedure was repeated three times. Finally, the third microbial sample (S3) was taken after irrigation activation. The three samples were cultured on blood agar, and incubated aerobically and anaerobically for 24 h at 37°C, the growing colonies were counted and recorded as colony-forming units (CFU). Results The two groups showed significant bacterial reduction after final irrigation (S3) than the first (S1) and second bacterial samples (S2). Regarding the percentage of bacterial reduction, significant differences were found between CNI versus ECR group ( P < 0.001). Conclusion It was concluded that using EC in reciprocation movement induces better antimicrobial effect than CNI in endodontic cases with primary root canal infections.