Irrigation Protocol Used by Endodontists, Paedodontists and Post- Graduate Students during Pulpectomy Procedures-a Pilot Survey

Aim: The purpose of the study was to determine the root canal irrigation trends being practiced amongst endodontists, paedodontists, and post-graduate students in Chennai. Background: The success of endodontic treatment depends primarily on the eradication of micro-organisms from the root-canal system and prevention of re-infection. The presence of necrotic or vital tissue remnants within the root canal space may provide a source of nutrition for the surviving bacteria. As on date, in spite of its unpleasant taste, toxicity, and inability to completely remove the smear layer, NaOCl remains the recommended irrigant. The advantage of chlorhexidine (CHX) is its substantivity. Adjuncts to irrigation such as sonic, ultrasonic, and subsonic activation improve the delivery and efficacy of irrigants to the apical third in order to improve the canal cleanliness. Methodology: In this study a survey was conducted amongst 500 practising dentists, who included endodontists, pedodontists, general practitioners and post graduate students. The data were collected and recorded in a Microsoft xcel spreadsheet and statistics was done.