We previously reported that the in vitro antimicrobial activity of a 2.0% chlorhexidine endodontic irrigant was equivalent to that of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite. The purpose of this study was to determine if chlorhexidine irrigants could instill substantive antimicrobial activity in instrumented root canals in vitro. Human teeth were instrumented using 2.0% or 0.12% chlorhexidine as irrigants. A...

There is overwhelming evidence that endodontic diseases can be characterized as infectious diseases. There is no longer any question that microorganisms are at the center of the etiological causes of pulpal and periradicular pathological processes (1, 2). There are many secondary reasons contributing to tissue breakdown and endodontic failures, such as root perforations, instrument fractures, e...

Using ultrasonic devices in endodontics can enhance the antibacterial and tissue dissolving ability of different root canal irrigants such as sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) which is the most common irrigant with excellent antibacterial and tissue dissolving abilities. However, due to its high surface tension, its penetration into the irregularities of the root canal system is a challenge. The purp...

Effective irrigant delivery and agitation are prerequisites to promote root canal disinfection and debris removal and improve successful endodontic treatment. This paper presents an overview of the currently available technologies to improve the cleaning of the endodontic space and their debridement efficacy. A PubMed electronic search was conducted with appropriate key words to identify the re...

Root canal retreatment is often the preferred method of treating a tooth in which root canal treatment has failed. Part one of this two-part article discusses reasons for failure of root canal treatment, case assessment and treatment planning. Part two describes some of the practical techniques that are available to the practitioner and the rationale for root canal retreatment. Dent Update 2004...

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the accuracy of the Root ZX in teeth with simulated root perforation in the presence of gel or liquid type endodontic irrigants, such as saline, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2% chlorhexidine liquid, 2% chlorhexidine gel, and RC-Prep, and also to determine the electrical conductivities of these endodontic irrigants. MATERIALS AND METHODS A root perforation was simu...

The major objective in endodontic therapy is to disinfect the entire root canal system. This requires that the pulpal content be eliminated as sources of infection. This goal may be accomplished by mechanical instrumentation and chemical irrigation, in conjunction with medication of the root canal between treatment sessions. Microorganisms and their by-products are considered to be the major ca...

using ultrasonic devices in endodontics can enhance the antibacterial and tissue dissolving ability of different root canal irrigants such as sodium hypochlorite (naocl) which is the most common irrigant with excellent antibacterial and tissue dissolving abilities. however, due to its high surface tension, its penetration into the irregularities of the root canal system is a challenge. the purp...