# Penetration depth of different irrigants in simulated lateral canalsPenetration depth of different irrigants in simulated lateral canals

## TL;DR

This study compares how well different solutions can reach deep into root canals to help eliminate bacteria.

## Contribution

The study provides new empirical data on the penetration depth of NaOCl, CHX, and EDTA in simulated lateral canals.

## Key findings

- NaOCl achieved the deepest penetration at 750 ± 50 µm.
- CHX had the shallowest penetration at 480 ± 35 µm.
- Penetration was more effective in the coronal section (p < 0.05).

## Abstract

Proper root canal disinfection needs lateral canals to receive irrigant penetration so that microbial biofilms can be eliminated.
Therefore, it is of interest to investigate using confocal laser scanning microscopy how deep NaOCl (5.25%) and CHX (2%) and EDTA (17%)
solution penetrated into 60 extracted teeth. NaOCl demonstrated the longest penetration depth at 750 ± 50 µm and trialed EDTA at
620 ± 40 µm and CHX with 480 ± 35 µm penetration depths. Better diffusion is seen in the coronal section
(p < 0.05). Thus, NaOCl is the best irrigating agent for disinfecting lateral canals.