Skip to main content

Table 2 Irrigants activation protocols

From: FESEM evaluation of smear layer removal from conservatively shaped canals: laser activated irrigation (PIPS and SWEEPS) compared to sonic and passive ultrasonic activation—an ex vivo study

Group name

n

Shaping

Activation

Activation protocol

Control group (CTR)

5

Yes

No

EA

20

Yes

Yes

A 15/.02 tip was used at 2 mm from the WL with 2–3 mm of vertical excursions. The power setting was 10,000 cpm. The EndoActivator handpiece (Dentsply Tulsa Dental Specialties, Tulsa, OK) was used

PUI

20

Yes

Yes

A 15/.02 tip was used at 2 mm from the WL with 2–3 mm of vertical excursions. The oscillation frequency was 40 kHz (40,000 cps). The Endo Ultra (Vista dental products) was used

PIPS

20

Yes

Yes

A 2940 nm wavelength Er:YAG laser (Fidelis; Fotona, Ljubljana, Slovenia) with a 12 mm long, 400 µm quartz tapered tip was used. The tip had 3 mm of the polyamide sheath stripped back from its end. The laser parameters were as follows: 20 mJ per pulse, 15 Hz, 0.30 W and 50 µs pulse duration. The coaxial water spray of the handpiece was set to “off”. The tip was placed into the coronal access opening of chamber only, kept stationary and not advanced into the orifice of the canal

SWEEPS

20

Yes

Yes

A 2940 nm wavelength Er:YAG laser (Fidelis; Fotona, Ljubljana, Slovenia) with a flat-end fiber tip (SWEEPS 600 by Fotona) was used. The laser parameters were as follows: 40 mJ per pulse, 15 Hz, 0.30 W and 50 µs pulse duration. The coaxial water spray of the handpiece was set to “off”. The Auto SWEEPS laser modality was used. The tip was placed into the coronal access opening of chamber only, kept stationary and not advanced into the orifice of the canal