Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial effect of three final irrigation protocols and to compare their ability to remove the smear layer and debris from the root canal. Methods: Sixty-three single-rooted human teeth were inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis for 14 days. The teeth were divided into a positive control group (N = 3) and three treatment groups (N = 20) as follows: final irrigation with saline solution (control group), irrigation with 5.25% NaOCl ultrasonically activated with EndoUltra (EU), standard needle irrigation with Qmix 2in1 (Qx) and irrigation with 5.25% NaOCl activated using SiroLaser Blue (SB). The bacterial load was evaluated by analyzing the colony-forming units (CFU/mL). Selected specimens were split longitudinally and examined using scanning electron microscopy in order to determine the presence of a smear layer and debris. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA and the Kruskal−Wallis rank-sum test. Results: Activation of NaOCl with EndoUltra or SiroLaser Blue was superior at reducing intracanal bacteria relative to standard needle irrigation with Qmix 2in1 solution (p < 0.05). Even though SiroLaser Blue showed the best results for removing the smear layer and debris, no significant differences were detected between the groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Final irrigation with 5.25% NaOCl ultrasonically activated using EndoUltra or SiroLaser Blue demonstrated a higher efficacy in bacterial reduction than standard needle irrigation with Qmix 2in1.