Decalcifying effect of different ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid irrigating solutions and tetraclean on root canal dentin.

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare in vitro the decalcifying capability on root canal dentin of 4 different irrigating solutions. Twenty-five freshly extracted maxillary central incisors were selected. The canals were prepared to obtain a total of 4 samples from each root. The samples were randomly divided into 5 equal experimental groups (n = 20) according to the irrigating solutions tested (Tetraclean, Largal Ultra, 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, Tubuliclean). For each irrigating solution, the specimens were immersed for 5, 10, and 15 minutes. After exposures, the concentration of Ca(2+) extracted was measured by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. Data were analyzed by means of nonparametric tests, and statistical analysis was performed. The higher release of Ca(2+) was observed in samples treated with Tetraclean; this citric acid-based agent showed significantly higher decalcifying capability. For all irrigating solutions tested, 10 minutes of application are sufficient to obtain the maximum Ca(2+) release. The results indicated that Tetraclean could be applied to obtain more efficient removal of the smear layer and to facilitate the biomechanical instrumentation procedures.