A SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC STUDY OF THE EFFICACY OF ROOT CANAL IRRIGATION

근관세척(根管洗滌)에 관(關)한 주사전자현미경적(走査電子顯微鏡的) 연구(硏究)

The purpose of this study is to observe the effect of cleansing action of irrigation solutions which are 3% hydrogen peroxide, 5% sodium hypochlorite and 15% EDTA solution on the root canal wall. After the root canal wall is enlarged with K-file in distilled water, the canal wall which is irrigated with each irrigant for 2 minutes, is compared with the. control group without using any irrigants. Each sample is dehydrated, and coated with 200-250${\AA}$ of gold, and observations are made with the use of scanning electron microscope. The results are as follows: 1. The canal walls irrigated with 3% hydrogen peroxide, 5% sodium hypochlorite and 15% EDTA solution are cleaner than the walls without using irrigants. 2. There are no significant difference of cleansing effect among 3% hydrogen peroxide, 5% sodium hypochlorite and 15% EDTA. 3. After using 3% hydrogen peroxide and 5% sodium hypochlorite solution, large debris are removed on root canal walls, but micro debris remain on the canal walls. 4. The root canal walls irrigated with 15% EDTA solution are decalcifed slightly and show clean surfaces.