An In Vitro Evaluation of the Smear Layer Removal Efficacy of Three Different Chemical Decalcifying Agents on Periodontally Compromised Root Surfaces: A Scanning Electron Microscopy Study

AIMAim of the current research was to assess the smear layer removal efficacy of SofScale, Carisolv gel, and QMix chemical decalcifying substances on periodontally weakened radicular surfaces. MATERIALS AND METHODSThe sample size constituted 60 recently extracted periodontally compromised teeth having a poor prognosis. The samples were allocated at random to one of the following three groups (20 in each): Group I: Scaling and root planing (SRP) with SofScale, Group II: SRP with Carisolv gel, and group III: SRP with QMix. The surfaces thus subjected to treatment were washed with 20 mL of saline and the crown portion was detached at the cementoenamel junction (CEJ). Following this, samples were horizontally and vertically segmented employing a diamond circular disk with 150-200 μm thickness. Every sample segment was subjected to rinsing in normal saline and positioned in 2.5% glutaraldehyde solution in 0.1 M phosphate buffer at a pH of 7.4 for at least 24 hours. Samples were evaluated in a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at a magnification of 2000×, and photomicrographs were assessed to establish the degree of radicular biomodification by eliminating the smear layer. RESULTSQMix group showed the highest smear layer elimination at 3.56 ± 0.13 in pursuit by Carisolv gel at 3.64 ± 0.11 and SofScale group with 4.68 ± 0.08. The differences amid the groups were statistically significant with p