Authors : Dr. Harshita Shekhawat; Dr. Manu Bansal; Dr. Yogini Shekhawat; Dr. Rebecca Shylla; Dr. Mahak Bhadouria; Dr. Shivani Agarwal

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 7 - July

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/2kemsnzm

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/4f9ssvsn

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jul948

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Successful Endodontic Treatment Depends On Effective Root Canal Disinfection And Smear Layer Removal. Conventional Irrigants Such As Sodium Hypochlorite And Edta Are Effective But Possess Certain Limitations Including Cytotoxicity And Dentinal Alterations. Herbal Irrigants And Biopolymers Have Gained Attention As Potential Biocompatible Alternatives. To Comparatively Evaluate The Smear Layer Removal And Antibacterial Efficacy Of Neem Extract And Neem– Chitosan Combination With Conventional Irrigation Protocol Using Scanning Electron Microscopy (Sem) And Mic₅₀ Analysis. Forty Extracted Human Single-Rooted Teeth Were Decoronated And Biomechanically Prepared. Samples Were Randomly Divided Into Four Groups (N=10): Group I – Naocl + Edta, Group Ii – Neem Extract, Group Iii – Neem–Chitosan Combination, And Group Iv – Saline. Irrigation Protocols Were Ultrasonically Activated. Smear Layer Removal At The Apical Third Was Evaluated Using Sem And Scored According To Hülsmann’s Criteria. Antibacterial Efficacy Was Assessed Using Mic₅₀ Microdilution Method Against Escherichia Coli And Staphylococcus Aureus. Statistical Analysis Was Performed Using Kruskal–Wallis And Dunn’s Post Hoc Tests.

Keywords : Neem Extract; Chitosan; Smear Layer; Sem; Root Canal Irrigants; Antibacterial Efficacy; Mic₅₀; Ultrasonic Activation.

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