A scanning electron microscopy study of root surface smear layer removal after topical application of EDTA plus a detergent

the aim of the present study was to compare root surface smear layer removal following topical application of edta and edta-t (texapon). extracted human teeth had their cementum removed and were mechanically scaled. a total of 220 root specimens were obtained and were randomly assigned to the following groups: i-saline solution (control), ii-edta; iii-edta-t. groups ii and iii specimens were assigned to different edta gel concentrations: 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 24%. smear layer removal score was assessed for each specimen by scanning electron microscopy. the results demonstrated that edta and edta-t gel led to a higher root surface smear layer removal when compared to the control group. the 5% edta gel also showed a higher smear layer removal than the 15%, 20% and 24% edta gels (p<0.05). no difference could be found between the different concentrations of edta-t gels tested (p>0.05). edta gels had statistically significantly lower smear layer scores than the edta-t gels for the 5% and 10% concentrations. the results suggested that topical application of edta or edta-t gel led to significant smear layer removal of the mechanically treated root surfaces. the addition of a detergent to the edta gel formula did not improve smear layer removal of the root surface.