The effect of ultrasonically activated irrigation and laser based root canal irrigation methods on debris removal.

Purpose: To test the efficacy of debris removal of 5 in vitro irrigation protocols: conventional irrigation, irrigation activated by ultrasound, Er:YAG laser with photon-induced photoacoustic streaming (PIPS) tip, and 2 diode laser techniques.

Methods: The root canals of 75 extracted human canine teeth were enlarged and bisected longitudinally. Standardized grooves were prepared 2-6 mm from the root apex and filled with 0.