A Review: Irrigation Solutions in Endodontic Treatment
Abstract
This study investigates the role of various irrigation solutions in endodontic treatment, highlighting their importance in eliminating bacteria and enhancing the success of root canal therapy. While normal saline and distilled water are commonly used due to their mild activity and ability to remove chemical remnants, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is favored for its antibacterial properties and ability to dissolve tissue. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (EDTA) is typically combined with NaOCl for effective smear layer removal, while chlorhexidine is used for its ability to delay canal system recontamination. Hydrogen peroxide and MTAD, a combination of antibiotics, citric acid, and detergent, are also explored for their utility in root canal irrigation. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of these solutions, providing insight into optimizing endodontic treatment. Results suggest that combining specific solutions enhances bacterial elimination and overall treatment outcomes, with implications for improved clinical practices in endodontics.
References
[2] W. J. Loesche, "Chemotherapy of Dental Plaque Infections," Oral Science Reviews, vol. 9, pp. 65-107, 1976.
[3] A. S. Garcez, S. C. Nunez, J. L. Lage-Marques, M. R. Hamblin, and M. S. Ribeiro, "Photonic Real-Time Monitoring of Bacterial Reduction in Root Canals by Genetically Engineered Bacteria After Chemomechanical Endodontic Therapy," Brazilian Dental Journal, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 202-207, 2007, doi: 10.1590/S0103-64402007000300006.
[4] M. K. Wu, L. W. Sluis, and P. R. Wesselink, "The Capability of Two Hand Instrumentation Techniques to Remove the Inner Layer of Dentine in Oval Canals," International Endodontic Journal, vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 218-224, 2003, doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2591.2003.00656.x.
[5] I. El Karim, J. Kennedy, and D. Hussey, "The Antimicrobial Effects of Root Canal Irrigation and Medication," Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology, vol. 103, no. 4, pp. 560-569, 2007, doi: 10.1016/j.tripleo.2006.09.016.
[6] L. van der Sluis, C. Boutsioukis, L. M. Jiang, R. Macedo, B. Verhaagen, and M. Versluis, "Root Canal Irrigation," in The Root Canal Biofilm, L. E. Chávez de Paz, Ed. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer, 2015, pp. 259-301.
[7] M. Hülsmann and W. Hahn, "Complications During Root Canal Irrigation – Literature Review and Case Reports," International Endodontic Journal, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 186-189, 2000, doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2591.2000.00313.x.
[8] P. Carrotte, "Endodontics: Part 7. Preparing the Root Canal," British Dental Journal, vol. 197, no. 10, pp. 603-613, 2004.
[9] L. I. Grossman and B. W. Meiman, "Solution of Pulp Tissue by Chemical Agents," Journal of Endodontics, vol. 8, pp. 10-12, 1982, doi: 10.1016/S0099-2399(82)80192-4.
[10] B. P. Gomes, M. E. Vianna, N. T. Sena, A. A. Zaia, C. C. Ferraz, and F. J. de Souza Filho, "In Vitro Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Calcium Hydroxide Combined with Chlorhexidine Gel Used as Intracanal Medicament," Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology, vol. 102, no. 4, pp. 544-550, 2006, doi: 10.1016/j.tripleo.2006.06.001.
[11] M. Hülsmann, T. Rödig, and S. Nordmeyer, "Complications During Root Canal Irrigation," Endodontic Topics, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 27-63, 2007, doi: 10.1111/j.1601-1546.2007.00102.x.
[12] R. A. Buck, P. D. Eleazer, R. H. Staat, and J. P. Scheetz, "Effectiveness of Three Endodontic Irrigants at Various Tubular Depths in Human Dentin," Journal of Endodontics, vol. 27, no. 3, pp. 206-208, 2001, doi: 10.1097/00004770-200103000-00017.
[13] K. C. Ring, P. E. Murray, K. N. Namerow, S. Kuttler, and F. Garcia-Godoy, "The Comparison of the Effect of Endodontic Irrigation on Cell Adherence to Root Canal Dentin," Journal of Endodontics, vol. 34, no. 12, pp. 1474-1479, 2008, doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2008.09.001.
[14] M. Prado, H. M. Santos, R. Júnior, C. M. Rezende, A. C. Pinto, R. B. Faria, et al., "Interactions Between Irrigants Commonly Used in Endodontic Practice: A Chemical Analysis," Journal of Endodontics, vol. 39, no. 4, pp. 505-510, 2013, doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2012.11.050.
[15] A. C. Marinho, F. C. Martinho, F. R. Leite, G. G. Nascimento, and B. P. Gomes, "Proinflammatory Activity of Primarily Infected Endodontic Content Against Macrophages After Different Phases of the Root Canal Therapy," Journal of Endodontics, vol. 41, no. 6, pp. 817-823, 2015, doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2015.01.017.
[16] L. Vajrabhaya, V. Sangalungkarn, R. Srisatjaluk, S. Korsuwannawong, and C. Phruksaniyom, "Hypochlorite Solution for Root Canal Irrigation That Lacks a Chlorinated Odor," European Journal of Dentistry, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 221-225, 2017, doi: 10.4103/ejd.ejd_60_16.
[17] S. Frais, Y. L. Ng, and K. Gulabivala, "Some Factors Affecting the Concentration of Available Chlorine in Commercial Sources of Sodium Hypochlorite," International Endodontic Journal, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 206-215, 2001, doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2591.2001.00383.x.
[18] C. Estrela, C. R. Estrela, E. L. Barbin, J. C. Spanó, M. A. Marchesan, and J. D. Pécora, "Mechanism of Action of Sodium Hypochlorite," Brazilian Dental Journal, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 113-117, 2002, doi: 10.1590/S0103-64402002000200005.
[19] M. Haapasalo, Y. Shen, Z. Wang, and Y. Gao, "Irrigation in Endodontics," British Dental Journal, vol. 216, no. 6, pp. 299-303, 2014, doi: 10.1038/sj.bdj.2014.232.
[20] M. V. R. Sá, F. V. Vier-Pelisser, M. S. Darcie, D. G. R. Smaniotto, F. Montagner, and M. C. Kuga, "Pulp Tissue Dissolution When Using Sodium Hypochlorite and EDTA Alone or in Combination," Revista Odonto Ciência, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 156-160, 2011.
[21] S. Taneja, N. Mishra, and S. Malik, "Comparative evaluation of human pulp tissue dissolution by different concentrations of chlorine dioxide, calcium hypochlorite, and sodium hypochlorite: An in vitro study," J. Conserv. Dent., vol. 17, no. 6, pp. 541-545, 2014, doi: 10.4103/0972-0707.146266.
[22] M. Andersen, A. Lund, J. O. Andreasen, and F. M. Andreasen, "In vitro solubility of human pulp tissue in calcium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite," Dent. Traumatol., vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 104-108, 1992, doi: 10.1111/j.1600-9657.1992.tb00015.x.
[23] J. R. Kuruvilla and M. P. Kamath, "Antimicrobial activity of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate separately and combined, as endodontic irrigants," J. Endod., vol. 24, pp. 472, 1998, doi: 10.1016/S0099-2399(98)80269-1.
[24] R. Paragliola, V. Franco, C. Fabiani, A. Mazzoni, F. Nato, and F. R. Tay et al., "Final rinse optimization: Influence of different agitation protocols," J. Endod., vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 282-285, 2010, doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2009.10.022.
[25] C. M. Sedgley, A. C. Nagel, D. Hall, and B. Applegate, "Influence of irrigant needle depth in removing bioluminescent bacteria inoculated into instrumented root canals using real-time imaging in vitro," Int. Endod. J., vol. 38, no. 2, pp. 97-104, 2005, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2591.2005.00884.x.
[26] G. Sirtes, T. Waltimo, M. Schaetzle, and M. Zehnder, "The effects of temperature on sodium hypochlorite short-term stability, pulp dissolution capacity, and antimicrobial efficacy," J. Endod., vol. 31, pp. 669-671, 2005, doi: 10.1097/01.don.0000151504.53698.2a.
[27] L. Machado Silveira, C. Silveira, J. Martos, and L. Suita de Castro, "Evaluation of the different irrigation regimens with sodium hypochlorite and EDTA in removing the smear layer during root canal preparation," J. Microsc. Ultrastruct., vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 51-56, 2013, doi: 10.1016/j.jmau.2013.08.002.
[28] B. Nygaard-Ostby, "Chelation in root canal therapy," Odontol. Tidskr., vol. 65, pp. 3-11, 1957.
[29] D. A. Loel, "Use of acid cleanser in endodontic therapy," J. Am. Dent. Assoc., vol. 90, no. 1, pp. 148-151, 1975, doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.1975.0124.
[30] A. B. Kamble, S. Abraham, D. D. Kakde, C. Shashidhar, and D. L. Mehta, "Scanning electron microscopic evaluation of efficacy of 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and chitosan for smear layer removal with ultrasonics: An in vitro study," Contemp. Clin. Dent., vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 621-626, 2017, doi: 10.4103/0976-237X.210682.
[31] J. F. Siqueira, M. M. Batista, R. C. Fraga, and M. de Uzeda, "Antibacterial effects of endodontic irrigants on black-pigmented gram-negative anaerobes and facultative bacteria," J. Endod., vol. 24, no. 6, pp. 414-416, 1998, doi: 10.1016/S0099-2399(98)80078-3.
[32] M. S. Ajeti, S. V. Hoxha, S. X. Elezi, S. S. Apostolska, M. S. Vula, and M. S. Krasniqi, "Demineralization of root canal dentine with EDTA and citric acid in different concentrations, pH and application times," ILIRIA Int. Rev., vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 1-6, 2011.
[33] S. Calt and A. Serper, "Time-dependent effects of EDTA on dentin structures," J. Endod., vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 17-19, 2002, doi: 10.1097/00004770-200201000-00005.
[34] M. Zehnder, "Root canal irrigants," J. Endod., vol. 32, no. 5, pp. 389-398, 2006, doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2006.01.008.
[35] B. Athanassiadis, P. V. Abbott, and L. J. Walsh, "The use of calcium hydroxide, antibiotics, and biocides as antimicrobial medicaments in endodontics," Aust. Dent. J., vol. 52, no. 1, pp. 64-82, 2007, doi: 10.1111/j.1834-7819.2007.tb00412.x.
[36] Z. Mohammadi and P. V. Abbott, "The properties and applications of chlorhexidine in endodontics," Int. Endod. J., vol. 42, no. 4, pp. 288-302, 2009, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2591.2009.01572.x.
[37] B. P. Gomes, S. F. Souza, C. C. Ferraz, F. Teixeira, A. Zaia, L. Valdrighi, and F. J. Souza-Filho, "Effectiveness of 2% chlorhexidine gel and calcium hydroxide against Enterococcus faecalis in bovine root dentine in vitro," Int. Endod. J., vol. 36, no. 4, pp. 267-275, 2003, doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2591.2003.00662.x.
[38] B. Basrani and M. Haapasalo, "Update on endodontic irrigating solutions," Endodontic Topics, vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 74-102, 2012, doi: 10.1111/j.1601-1546.2012.00153.x.
[39] C. C. Ferraz, B. P. Gomes, A. A. Zaia, F. B. Teixeira, and F. J. Souza-Filho, "Comparative study of the antimicrobial efficacy of chlorhexidine gel, chlorhexidine solution, and sodium hypochlorite as endodontic irrigants," Braz. Dent. J., vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 294-298, 2007, doi: 10.1590/S0103-64402007000400006.
[40] J. Cook, R. Nandakumar, and A. F. Fouad, "Molecular and culture-based comparison of the effects of antimicrobial agents on bacterial survival in infected dentinal tubules," J. Endod., vol. 33, no. 6, pp. 690-692, 2007, doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2007.01.019.
[41] S. Rosenthal, L. Spångberg, and K. Safavi, "Chlorhexidine substantivity in root canal dentin," Oral Surg. Oral Med. Oral Pathol. Oral Radiol. Endod., vol. 98, no. 4, pp. 488-492, 2004, doi: 10.1016/j.tripleo.2004.06.012.
[42] C. G. Emilson, "Susceptibility of various microorganisms to chlorhexidine," Scand. J. Dent. Res., vol. 85, no. 4, pp. 255-265, 1977, doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0722.1977.tb00674.x.
[43] T. Ohtoshi, N. Yamauchi, K. Tadokoro, S. Miyachi, S. Suzuki, T. Miyamoto, and M. Muranaka, "IgE antibody-mediated shock reaction caused by topical application of chlorhexidine," Clin. Allergy, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 155-161, 1986, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.1986.tb01979.x.
[44] G. Goor, J. Glunneber, and S. Jacobi, "Hydrogen Peroxide," in Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 7th ed., Weinheim, Germany: Wiley-VCH, 2012, p. 112.
[45] M. V. Urban, T. Rath, and C. Radtke, "Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2): A review of its use in surgery," Wien Med. Wochenschr., vol. 169, no. 9-10, pp. 222-225, 2017, doi: 10.1007/s10354-017-0475-4.
[46] A. Drosou, A. Falabella, and R. S. Kirsner, "Antiseptics on wounds: An area of controversy," Wounds, vol. 15, no. 5, pp. 149-166, 2003.
[47] N. R. Asad, L. M. Asad, C. Almeida, I. Felzenszwalb, J. B. Cabral-Neto, and A. C. Leitão, "Several pathways of hydrogen peroxide action that damage the E. coli genome," Genet. Mol. Biol., vol. 27, no. 2, pp. 291-303, 2004, doi: 10.1590/S1415-47572004000200010.
[48] M. Haapasalo, U. Endal, H. Zandi, and J. M. Coil, "Eradication of endodontic infection by instrumentation and irrigation solutions," Endodontic Topics, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 77-102, 2005, doi: 10.1111/j.1601-1546.2005.00103.x.
[49] M. Torabinejad, A. A. Khademi, J. Babagoli, Y. Cho, W. B. Johnson, K. Bozhilov, J. Kim, and S. Shabahang, "A new solution for the removal of the smear layer," J. Endod., vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 170-175, 2003, doi: 10.1097/01.DON.0000053170.80957.8A.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.