Figure 1: Schematic representation of the specimen preparation and testing protocol. (a) Vertical cuts of the root in the buccolingual direction from the apex till the cementoenamel junction, (b) vertical cuts of the root in the mesiodistal direction from the apex till the cementoenamel junction, (c) horizontal cutting at the cementoenamel junction for separation of the radicular dentin sticks, (d) separated and segmented root after decoration, (e) four radicular dentin sticks (1 mm × 1 mm × 12 mm) obtained from the same root, (f) each stick placed in 1 mm of the assigned irrigant separately and activated, (g) 3 point loading flexural strength testing setup, (h) microhardness testing on the same stick after fracture