Retrievabilty of calcium hydroxide intracanal medicament with Chitosan from root canals: An in vitro CBCT volumetric analysis

Aim: This study compared the amount of aqueous-based and oil-based calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH) ₂ ] remaining in the canal, after removal with two different chelators 17% EDTA and 0.2% Chitosan in combination with ultrasonic agitation.
Materials and Methods: Cleaning and shaping of root canals of 28 mandibular premolar was done and canals were filled either with Metapex or Ca(OH) ₂ mixed with distilled water. Volumetric analysis was performed utilizing cone beam-computed tomography (CBCT) after 7 days of incubation. Ca(OH) ₂ was removed using either 17% EDTA or 0.2% Chitosan in combination with ultrasonic agitation. Volumetric analysis was repeated and percentage difference was calculated and statistically analysed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test.
Results: Both the chelators failed to remove aqueous-based as well as oil-based Ca(OH) ₂ completely from the root canal. Aqueous-based Ca(OH) ₂ was easier to be removed than oil-based Ca(OH) ₂ . 0.2% Chitosan was significantly more effective for removal of oil-based Ca(OH) ₂ (P < 0.01) while both 17% EDTA and 0.2% Chitosan were equally effective in removing aqueous-based Ca(OH) ₂ .
Conclusion: Combination of 0.2% Chitosan and ultrasonic agitation results in lower amount of Ca(OH) ₂ remnants than 17% EDTA irrespective of type of vehicle present in the mix.