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.