Aim: To evaluate the effect of continuous ultrasonic and diode laser root canal irrigation activation techniques on apical extrusion of debris.
Material and methods: Forty extracted mandibular molars were used in this study. After teeth hemi-sectioning was done, forty mesio-buccal canals were mechanically prepared using Revo-S system files according to manufacturers instructions till size AS 35# and then, roots were randomly assigned to two equal groups according to irrigation activation method: Group (1): conventional syringe irrigation was used after mechanical preparation. This group was subdivided into 2 subgroups: Subgroup (1A): conventional syringe irrigation with no laser and subgroup (1B): conventional syringe irrigation with diode laser. Group (2): Continuous Ultrasonic Irrigation (CUI) was used after mechanical preparation and divided into two subgroups: Subgroup (2A): Continuous Ultrasonic Irrigation (CUI) with no laser and subgroup (2B): Continuous Ultrasonic Irrigation with diode laser. A modified version of Myers and Montgomery's experimental approach was employed to assess apically extruded debris. Debris were calculated by measuring difference of weight of Eppendorf tubes (before mechanical preparation W1 and after mechanical preparation and irrigation activation W2). All measurements were done using analytical balance.
Results: In all sub groups, no significant difference was shown, but the apical debris extruded was higher in subgroup (2B) (continuous ultrasonic irrigation with diode laser). The least amount of apical debris was in subgroup (1A) (conventional syringe irrigation with no laser).
Conclusion: Diode laser and continuous ultrasonic irrigation activation could be safely used for irrigation activation with minimal effect on apical extrusion of debris.