Aim This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of different post-endodontic access cavity cleaning techniques (PACCTs) in removing residual epoxy resin-based root canal sealer from the pulp chamber floor following root canal treatment. The cleaning efficacy of seven different protocols, including manual and mechanically-assisted methods, will be compared based on the reduction of sealer-covered area (SCA). Study Design / Methodology This study is designed as a prospective, single-center, randomized clinical trial with parallel group design. A total of 70 patients who require root canal treatment in maxillary first molars will be included in the study. Patients will be randomly assigned to seven experimental groups (n=10 per group) according to the cleaning technique used after root canal obturation with AH Plus epoxy resin-based sealer. The cleaning protocols will be: 1. Dry cotton pellet (control group) 2. Ethanol-saturated cotton pellet (7 sec) 3. Ethanol-saturated cotton pellet (visibly clean) 4. Ethanol-saturated cotton pellet + air polishing 5. Ethanol-saturated microbrush (7 sec) 6. Ethanol-saturated microbrush (visibly clean) 7. Air abrasion Standard root canal treatment procedures will be performed in all groups using rotary instrumentation and cold lateral condensation technique for obturation. The cleaning effectiveness will be evaluated using standardized high-resolution macro photographs taken before and after the cleaning procedures. The sealer-covered area (SCA) will be calculated using image analysis software (Adobe Photoshop) based on pixel analysis. The primary outcome of the study is the percentage reduction of SCA after cleaning procedures.
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preoperative-postoperative macro-photography and photo-based image analysis.
Timeframe: At the time of final access cavity cleaning, immediately following root canal obturation