Impact of Irrigation Activation Techniques on Healing of Periapical Lesions: A Radiographic Evaluation

Abstract

Periapical lesions are considered to be the typical outcome of pulpal infection, and can be treated mostly with the help of deep chemomechanical debridement of the root canal system. The efficiency of irrigation is vital in the removal of microbial biofilms, but traditional syringe irrigation is not always effective at canal anatomies that are considered complex. Sonic and ultrasonic agitation techniques have been added to provide irrigation activation methods that will promote canal penetration by the irrigant, as well as improve canal disinfection. In the study, the researcher intended to assess the effectiveness of various irrigation activation methods in the healing of periapical lesions using radiographic methods. The patients who came to the clinic with periapical pathosis were provided with the standardized endodontic treatment and divided into three irrigation groups including the use of a conventional syringe, sonic, or passive ultrasonic irrigation. Radiographic evaluation was done at baseline and follow-up periods by the use of the periapical index (PAI) scoring to measure the lesion regression and healing. Findings showed that the sonic as well as the ultrasonic activation method produced a superior percentage of complete or substantial healing in comparison with the conventional irrigation. The highest improvement in the outcome of periapical healing was observed in ultrasonic activation. These findings suggest that activation of irrigants plays a pivotal role in enhancing periapical tissue repair and supports the routine incorporation of activation techniques into endodontic practice.