References

Ballal NV, Kandian S, Mala K, Bhat KS, Acharya S. Comparison of the efficacy of maleic acid and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid in smear layer removal from instrumented human root canal: a scanning electron microscopic study. J Endod. 2009; 35:1573-1576
Ballal NV, Kundabala M, Bhat S, Rao N, Rao BS. A comparative in vitro evaluation of cytotoxic effects of EDTA and maleic acid: root canal irrigants. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2009; 108:633-638
Ballal NV, Sudheer M, Kundabala M, Kadengodlu SB, Syed SH, Shriram P. Evaluation of chemical interactions of maleic acid with sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine gluconate. J Endod. 2011; 37:1402-1405
Silva PV, Guedes DFC, Nakad FV, Pécora JD, Cruz-Filho AM. Chitosan: a new solution for removal of smear layer after root canal instrumentation. Int Endod J. 2013; 46:(4)332-338
Prado M, Gusman H, Gomes BPFA, Simao RA. Scanning electron microscopic investigation of the effectiveness of phosphoric acid in smear layer removal when compared with EDTA and citric acid. J Endod. 2011; 37:255-258
Spano JC, Silva RG, Guedes DF, Sousa-Neto MD, Estrela C, Pécora JD. Atomic absorption spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy evaluation of concentration of calcium ions and smear layer removal with root canal chelators. J Endod. 2009; 35:727-730
Estrela C, Holland R, Bernabé PFE, Souza V, Estrela CRA. Antimicrobial potential of medicaments used in healing process in dog's teeth with apical periodontitis. Braz Dent J. 2004; 15:181-185

Newer chelating agents

From Volume 40, Issue 7, September 2013 | Page 589

Authors

Vasudev Ballal

Manipal College of Dental Sciences Manipal, Karnataka, India

Articles by Vasudev Ballal

Article

I read with great interest the article by Melissa Good et al regarding endodontic solutions which was published in the May 2012 issue of your journal (Dent Update 2012; 39: 239–246). I wanted to share a few of my thoughts on the newer agents which have been used to remove the smear layer. (a) 7% Maleic acid has been shown to be significantly more effective than 17% EDTA in removing the smear layer from the apical third of the root canal system.1 It has also been found to be less cytotoxic when compared to 17% EDTA.2 Also, unlike EDTA, maleic acid does not form any precipitate when combined with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate.3 (b) 0.2% Chitosan has been shown to be effective in smear layer removal, especially in the middle and apical thirds of the root canal system.4 (c) 37% Phosphoric acid has been demonstrated to be superior to 17% EDTA and 10% citric acid in the apical third of the root canal system.5 (d) Apple vinegar, which consists of malic acid, has been shown to remove the smear layer as efficiently as17% EDTA.6 It has also been shown to be effective against endodontic pathogens.7