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The effect of German chamomile ( Marticaria recutita L.) extract and tea tree ( Melaleuca alternifolia L.) oil used as irrigants on removal of smear layer: a scanning electron microscopy study
Author(s) -
Sadr Lahijani M. S.,
Raoof Kateb H. R.,
Heady R.,
Yazdani D.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
international endodontic journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.988
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1365-2591
pISSN - 0143-2885
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2591.2006.01073.x
Subject(s) - smear layer , melaleuca alternifolia , sodium hypochlorite , root canal , pulp (tooth) , dentistry , distilled water , tea tree oil , scanning electron microscope , materials science , chemistry , medicine , essential oil , food science , chromatography , composite material , organic chemistry
Aim To compare the cleaning effectiveness of chamomile hydroalcoholic extract and tea tree oil to 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solution as an intracanal irrigant for the removal of the smear layer. Methodology Forty extracted, single‐rooted, mature, permanent, human teeth were allocated at random into one of three experimental groups of ten teeth and two control groups of five teeth. For each tooth, the pulp chamber was accessed and the canal prepared using K‐type files and Gates‐Glidden burs, using a step‐back technique; the apical stop was prepared to a size 30. Each canal was subsequently irrigated with one of the following solutions: distilled water (as a negative control), 2.5% NaOCl + 17% ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) (as a positive control), chamomile or tea tree oil or 2.5% NaOCl. Each tooth was split longitudinally and prepared for examination by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The quantity of smear layer remaining on the three levels of each canal (coronal, middle and apical) was examined using magnifications of 2000 and 5000×. The data were analysed using nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U ‐tests. Results The most effective removal of smear layer occurred with the use of NaOCl with a final rinse of 17% EDTA (negative control) followed by the use of a chamomile extract. Chamomile extract was found to be significantly more effective than distilled water and tea tree oil ( P < 0.008).The use of a 2.5% NaOCl solution alone, without EDTA and that of tea tree oil, was found to have only minor effects. There was no statistical difference between distilled water, 2.5% NaOCl and tea tree oil. Conclusions The efficacy of chamomile to remove smear layer was superior to NaOCl alone but less than NaOCl combined with EDTA.