Purpose: To compare the amount of debris extruded apically from root canals when different irrigants were used.
Methods: Fifty-eight extracted single-rooted human mandibular premolars with straight root canals were used. The teeth were randomly divided into control group (group A, n=7) and 3 experimental groups (group B,C,D,n=17). All teeth were prepared for root canal therapy, and 3 different irrigants were used (group B: 1% sodium hypochlorite; group C: 2.5% sodium hypochlorite; group D: 17% EDTA). Debris extruded from the apical foramen during root canal irrigation was collected into tubes and the amount of debris extruded was counted and analyzed. Statistical significance was assessed by Student-Newman-Keuls test with SPSS 13.0 software package.
Results: Group B, C, D had more amount of extruded debris, which was significantly different from the control group (P<0.05). Group C had the highest amount of extruded debris,which was significantly different from the other group (P<0.05).
Conclusions: The type of irrigants used can affect the amount of apically extruded debris. 2.5% sodium hypochlorite can produce more apically extruded debris. 1% sodium hypochlorite and 17% EDTA are better than 2.5% sodium hypochlorite in terms of irrigation efficacy.