Comparison of Vibringe, EndoActivator, and Needle Irrigation on Sealer Penetration in Extracted Human Teeth

Introduction: Vibringe is a new device that allows continuous sonic irrigation of the canal system during endodontic treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of different irrigation systems oil sealer penetration into dentinal tubules of extracted single-rooted teeth. Methods: Fifty single-rooted human teeth were instrumented and randomly divided into 4 groups: group 1 (control), saline; group 2 (conventional irrigation), 17% EDTA followed by 6% NaOCl; group 3 (EndoActivator), same irrigants as group 2; group 4 (Vibringe), same irrigants as group 2. Obturation of all teeth was done with gutta-percha and SimpliSeal labeled with fluorescent dye. Transverse sections at 1 mm and 5 mm from the root apex were examined by using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Percentage and maximum depth of sealer penetration were measured by using NIS-Elements Br 3.0 imaging software. Results: Groups 3 and 4 had a significantly greater percentage of the canal wall penetrated by sealer at the 5-mm level than group 1 (P < .0125), but not group 2. No other differences were found between the groups at either section level for both the percentage of sealer penetration and maximum depth. The 5-mm sections in each experimental group had a significantly higher percentage and maximum depth of sealer penetration than did the 1-mm sections (P < .0125). Conclusions: The use of sonic activation with either the EndoActivator or Vibringe did not significantly improve the sealer penetration when compared with conventional irrigation.