ABSTRACT Introduction: as part of endodontic treatment, root canals are cleaned and shaped, since shavings of dentin and organic materials, such as microorganisms, resulting from the action of instrumentation, create the so-called dental smear. Objective: carry out an in vitro evaluation of smear layer removal and dentinal tubule density reduction using chelating irrigation solutions. Methods: an experimental study was conducted for which 30 single-rooted human teeth were selected after initial radiographic examination to verify the presence of a single canal, absence of calcification, internal resorption and endodontic treatment either completed or underway. Next, instrumentation was performed with three different irrigation solutions: 17 % ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 10% citric acid and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (control group). Each instrumented tooth was then evaluated radiograp...