Calcium hydroxide paste removal strategies and bond strengths of epoxy‐ and silicate‐based sealers

This study evaluated the syringe/needle (SN), passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) and XP‐endo Finisher (XP) in the removal of Ca(OH)2‐based paste and the bond strength (BS) values of an epoxy resin (AH Plus) and silicate (MTA)‐based sealers to root dentin. Eighty lower premolars were assigned: control group (CT), SN, PUI and XP, and subdivided according to the sealer (n = 10) for BS. SN has the lowest removal followed by PUI and XP. AH Plus had higher BS for CT compared with SN in all root thirds. CT and XP presented similar BS in the apical and middle thirds and higher than SN and PUI. For MTA, similar BS was observed in the cervical and apical thirds, and in the middle third, CT, PUI and XP presented similar values and higher than SN. PUI and XP methods presented higher efficiency in the Ca(OH)2 removal, and the residual Ca(OH)2 provides a reduction in BS of the AH Plus.