Removing smear layer and disinfection during root canal preparation can prove to be a chemistry experiment. Two of the most commonly used solutions for this process, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and chlorhexidine (CHX), can produce inconsistent results—and, of course, many clinicians have their personal preference when it comes to which of these solutions they prefer.
However, SmearOFF from Vista Apex Dental Products takes these two solutions and combines them with wetting agents and surface modifiers into one easy-to-use powerhouse formulation.
Clinicians can benefit from both chemicals with SmearOFF, which boasts a record of removing more bacteria, and of opening more dentin tubules than standard EDTA alone.
The patent-pending formulation is designed to make root canals more efficient while improving penetration of medicaments into open dentin tubules, resulting in a residual, lasting kill of bacteria throughout the canal system.
In fact, according to Vista, the agent kills 99.99 percent of bacteria, including E. Faecalis, within 10 seconds of use and opens 27 percent more tubules than a standalone 17 percent EDTA solution. SmearOFF also has better calcium suspension than competitors’ two-in-one products.
To reap additional benefits of SmearOFF, use it following application of sodium hypochlorite. Because SmearOFF is compatible with sodium hypochlorite, the dentist will not encounter a precipitate byproduct, so no additional rinse is needed.
SmearOFF saves practices money by offering EDTA and CHX in one formulation, and is more aggressively priced than the competition in the two-in-one irrigant space. SmearOFF is available in 4 oz. and 16 oz. options, and in an irrigation promo pack, which contains one 16 oz. sodium hypochlorite 6 percent bottle and one 16 oz. SmearOFF bottle.
Larger practices—or smaller practices doing long-term planning—may be interested in a special offer from Vista Apex in which the purchase of a case (eight 16 oz. bottles) of SmearOFF comes with a free syringe-filling station.