Irrigation trends among members of the Chilean Endodontic Society

• Main Authors: Héctor Monardes, Marcia Antunez, Daniela Wulf, Daniela Zúñiga García, Jaime Abarca
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidad de Concepción. 2018-09-01
• Series: Journal of Oral Research
• Subjects: endodontics; surveys and questionnaires; smear layer; edetic acid; root canal irrigants; irrigation adjuncts smear layer
• Online Access: http://joralres.com/index.php/JOR/article/view/joralres.2018.066/469
• ISSN: 0719-2460; 0719-2479

Introduction: The aim of this study is to determine the current trends of irrigation during root canal therapy by specialists who are members of the Chilean Endodontic Society. Materials and Method: A survey (Survey Monkey®-SurveyMonkey.com) was e-mailed to the 485 members of the Chilean Endodontic Society. The instrument was translated and adapted from the survey "Irrigation trends among American Association of Endodontists members: A web-based survey" applied in the USA in 2012. Participants answered a set of 16 questions that included irrigant selection, irrigant concentration, the adopted protocol, techniques or devices for irrigant activation. Results: 99% of respondents use sodium hypochlorite as the main irrigant. Data indicate that 74% of respondents use hypochlorite at a concentration of 5%. Most respondents (94%) also include EDTA in their usual practice. In addition, 90% of respondents reported that they activate the irrigating agent, and 94% confirmed that they perform a final irrigation protocol. Conclusion: The majority of respondents use sodium hypochlorite as the main irrigant at a concentration of 5%, use ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as a smear removal agent, activate the irrigant, and perform a final irrigation protocol.