Aim: This study compared amount of aqueous-based and oil-based calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] remaining in the canal after removal with three different chelators 17% EDTA, 0.2% Chitosan and 7% Maleic acid in combination with sonic agitation.
Materials and Method: Cleaning and shaping of root canals of 30 single rooted premolar was done and canals were filled either with oil based Ca(OH)2 or aqueous- based Ca(OH)2. Volumetric analysis was performed utilizing cone beam-computed tomography (CBCT) after 7 days of incubation. Ca(OH)2 was removed using either 17% EDTA , 0.2% Chitosan and 7% Maleic acid in combination with sonic agitation. Volumetric analysis was repeated and percentage difference was calculated and statistically analysed by one-way ANOVA and post-hoc tukey test.
Results: All the three chelators failed to remove aqueous-based as well as oil-based Ca(OH)2 completely from the root canal. Aqueous-based Ca(OH)2 was easier to be removed than oil-based Ca(OH)2.0.2% Chitosan, 7%Maleic acid and 17% EDTA were ound to remove the aqueous based calcium hydroxide efficiently (P >0.05), whereas 0.2% chitosan was found to perform significantly better than 7% Maleic acid followed by 17% EDTA in removing oil based calcium hydroxide preparation.(P<0.05)
Conclusion: Combination of 0.2% Chitosan and agitation results in lower amount
of Ca(OH)2 remnants than 7% Maleic acid followed by 17% EDTA irrespective
of type of vehicle present in the mix.