A scanning electron microscopic evaluation of root canal debridement using saline, sodium hypochlorite, and citric acid

This study used a scanning electron microscope and a rank-ordered scoring system to evaluate statistically the amount of superficial debris and the smeared layer that remained on the canal wall following root canal preparation with six different debridement regimens. Regimens which used citric acid or a combination of NaOCl and citric acid for irrigation were more effective than NaOCl alone in removing the smeared layer from the surface of the prepared root canal walls.