Aim: The aim of this in-vitro study was to evaluate the effect of different tapers on depth of penetration of irrigant using Confocal Laser Microscopy and weather the activation of irrigation could enhance deeper penetration of irrigant.
Materials and Methods: Fourty recently extracted permanent maxillary first molars were used in this study. Teeth were divided into 2 groups, 20 teeth in each group. Group (1): 4% taper and Group (2): 6% taper. Each group was subdivided into 2 subgroups, each containing 10 teeth. In Group (1), Subgroup (A): 4% taper without activation and Subgroup (B): 4% taper with activation. In Group (2), Subgroup (A): 6% taper without activation and Subgroup (B): 6% taper with activation. Access cavity was carried out in all teeth using round diamond bur. Mechanical preparation was performed using Edge File-X7 in mesio-buccal canal. The mesio-buccal root was separated from the tooth using a disc.Methylene blue dye (MB) was prepared using normal saline. In Subgroup (A) of both groups, MB dye was injected into the root canal using 3 mL syringe to stain the canal.The mesio-buccal root in both groups was then longitudinally split using a disc and mounted under Confocal Laser Microscopy. In Subgroup (B) of both groups, after injection of MB dye into root canal using 3 mL syringe, activation was performed,then the same procedures were carried out.
Results: Results showed that 6% taper size significantly increased the penetration depth of the irrigant in both the non-activation and activation group compared to 4% taper size.