Background: Calcium hydroxide, due to its favorable properties, such as an antimicrobial effect as well as its ability to dissolve necrotic tissues, inhibit tooth resorption and stimulate the formation of a hard tissue barrier, is widely used in root canal treatment.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of 3 methods of delivery of calcium hydroxide into the canals.
Material and methods: This in vitro experimental study was performed on acrylic resin blocks with simulated curved canals (curvature of 24° and 44°). Calcium hydroxide was delivered into the canals with 3 different instruments : a hand file, a Lentulo and a rotary file. The data was analyzed using the three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test.
Results: The density of calcium hydroxide was significantly different among the 3 groups (p < 0.001). The manual delivery technique resulted in the lowest and using a rotary file in the highest density of calcium hydroxide (p < 0.001). The mean density of calcium hydroxide was significantly higher in the canals with curvature of 24°, irrespective of the delivery method (p < 0.001). The lowest mean density of calcium hydroxide was noted at 1 mm and 3 mm from the apex, whereas the highest mean density was noted at 11 mm from the apex, irrespective of delivery method (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: A rotary file seems to be the most efficient instrument for delivering calcium hydroxide into the canals, especially into the apical region of canals with greater curvature.
Keywords: calcium hydroxide; hand file; rotary file.