Comparative Evaluation of three different techniques on reduction in Microbial Load after endodontic treatment A Randomized Controlled Trial

The patients will be pooled from the OPD at the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics. 27 systemically healthy patients aged 18-50 with preoperative pain, single-rooted teeth, and radiographic evidence of periapical lesion will be enrolled and randomly divided into three groups of nine: Group I (Conventional Needle Irrigation), Group II (XP-Endo Finisher), Group III (Er:Cr:YSGG laser). Samples will be collected before and after irrigation.

The procedure will begin with informed consent, pre-operative radiographs, and local anesthesia. After accessing the root canal, the working length will be determined and confirmed using digital radiographs. Sample (S1) will be collected after working length determination using absorbent points placed up to the full working length. Canals will then be prepared biomechanically using rotary files. 3 ml NaOCl will be activated with the three different irrigant activation systems with physiological saline and post-irrigation samples (S2) will be taken. The teeth will be temporized, and patients will be recalled after three days for obturation. The samples will be processed and colony-forming units (CFUs) will be determined.