Recent Advances in Root Canal Disinfection - A review

Chemical and mechanical root canal debridement are the primary methods used in conjuction with conventional endodontic therapy to remove all dead tissue, bacteria, and microbial byproducts from the root canal. Commonly used root canal disinfection with sodium hypochlorite, a powerful organic tissue dissolver with a broad spectrum of antibacterial properties is an excellent choice opted for dentists for disinfecting root canals. On the other hand, chelating agents such as EDTA is routinely used to remove the inorganic tissue components of the smear layer. The use of chelating agents in endodontic therapy is less effective in the apical third. While performing endodontic therapy, the dentist must ensure the direct contacts of irrigants with the whole root canal wall surfaces, especially in the narrower apical portions of the root canals. In the current article, the authors has presented a detailed review in context to the various irrigating solutions used during the biomechanical preparation, their actions and advantages and disadvantages.

Antibiofilm and anti-inflammatory potential of lignans with collegial effect: Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside and sesamin as antimicrobial sources

Linum usitatissimum (L.), the Flaxseed (FS) and Sesamum indicum (L.), the sesame seeds (SS) are rich sourcesof lignans, secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), and Sesamin (Sm), respectively. Synergistic effects of theSDG and Sm lignan samples were investigated in the present study, a first of its kind. The high performanceliquid chromatography fingerprint identified the presence of SDG and sesamin in FS and SS. Antimicrobialactivity of SDG+Sm combination by disc diffusion in opposition to Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli,Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus significantly arrests growthof the bacteria in comparison to independent use of SDG and Sm. Bacterial biofilm inhibition capacity ofSDG+Sm imaged by confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed the loss of microcolonies. SDG+Sm couldinhibit the 15-LOX and COX-2 enzyme at relatively lower concentrations. Furthermore, SDG+Sm quenchedfree radicals produced by Fenton’s reagent studied by DNA-protection assay indicating its robust antioxidantproperty in protecting the DNA. These results put together encourage the use of a combination of FS and SSseed lignans SDG+Sm in a wide range of applications as natural preservatives with pharmacological effects,such as anti-inflammatory agent and aid, in their promotion as nutraceuticals.