Introduction: Irrigation of the root canals is an important step during endodontic
treatment. Irrigants serve to eradicate microbial infection and to remove the resulting
smear layer. NaOCl/EDTA irrigation is the gold standard irrigation protocol. However,
it has several side effects. So, it was urgent call to investigate herbal alternatives as
potential endodontic irrigants. Aim: To evaluate the antimicrobial action and smear
layer removal ability of apple, dates and pomegranate vinegars compared to NaOCl/
EDTA irrigation. Materials &Methods: Sixty-five sterile roots were infected with
E.faecalis, incubated for three weeks then grouped into five groups; apple vinegar
group, dates vinegar group, pomegranate vinegar group, NaOCl/EDTA group and
control group, respectively. Three Microbial samples were obtained from the root
canals: before irrigation, immediately after irrigation and one week after irrigation. The
reduction% of mean Log10 CFU was calculated. Five roots from each group were split
bucco-lingually, scanned with SEM and processed using ImageJ software. Statistical
analysis was performed by applying the t-test, ANOVA (one and two way) followed by
post hoc Tukey's test at 95% significance level. Results: Dates vinegar group showed
high antimicrobial action and smear layer removal ability comparable to NaOCl/EDTA
group and the difference was statistically insignificant. Pomegranate and apple vinegar
groups showed less antimicrobial action and smear layer removal ability than dates
vinegar and NaOCl/EDTA which was statistically significant. Conclusion: Phenolic
compounds in dates vinegar are responsible for its antimicrobial action and smear layer
removal ability making it potential alternative to NaOCl/EDTA.