LAUSR

OBJECTIVE The study evaluated the effect of Sapindus mukorossi (SM) extract as a final root canal irrigant on sealer penetration (SP) in dentinal tubules and microleakage. MATERIALS AND METHODS Samples were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. An access opening in all samples was performed and the working length was decided using pro taper for canal finishing along with constant irrigation. Specimens were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group 1 was irrigated with 3 ml of 17% EDTA; group 2 was irrigated with SM irrigant and group 3 samples were irrigated with 0.9% saline. After obturation, samples were vertically placed in 1% methylene blue dye cut in half longitudinally, and viewed under a stereomicroscope. Analysis of SP in the dentinal tubule was assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For microleakage assessment, mean and standard deviation were reported and One-Way ANOVA was applied. SP was compared using Kruskal-Wallis' test. For inspecting the interaction between SM/EDTA and NaOCl, Fisher's exact test was applied. No statistically significant difference between microleakage in any of the tested groups was observed. The control group showed minimum leakage as compared to EDTA and SM. RESULTS The results displayed that there was no significant difference, (p=0.67), between dentinal tubule SP at 2 mm. A significant difference between dentinal tubule SP among groups at 5 mm was observed (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS SM ethanolic extract showed comparable outcomes of smear layer removal and sealer penetration to 17% EDTA, as a final irrigant in root canal cleaning. Therefore, SM has the potential to be used as an adjuvant final irrigant in conjunction with NaOCl.