ABSTRACT
@#Endodontic infection control is crucial to successful root canal treatment. Irrigation is the key step in endodontic procedures, and the application of root canal irrigation and disinfection medications play an important role. How to enhance antibacterial effects and functions in removing tissues while maintaining biocompatibility is a hot topic in endodontics. Currently, insights to address this issue can be split into two categories: one, the modification or combination of conventional endodontic irrigation solutions, and two, the development of novel endodontic irrigation solutions with new technologies and materials, for instance, nanomaterials and natural exacts. However, conventional endodontic irrigation solutions, such as sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine, are still the first choice in clinical practice. Most novel endodontic irrigation solutions remain at the pre-clinical laboratory stage. Clinical research and relevant data are required to determine whether various methods can improve endodontic irrigation. From basic research to clinical application is the direction for advancing to the next stage. The present article focuses on research progress on endodontic irrigation, especially concerning its antibacterial mechanism, characteristics and efficacy, to provide a reference for future clinical translation.