Inhibition of Root Canal Medicaments by Dentin and Its Implication

Abstract

Disinfection of root canal using root canal medicaments is considered to be an essential step for a successful endodontic treatment. Ideal requisite of intracanal madicaments is the disinfection of the root canal and rendering it free of bacteria without causing harm to the tooth and oral tissues. Most commonly used intracanal medicaments are calcium hydroxide, chlorhexidine and iodine potassium iodide. Sodium chloride is not preferred as a medicament due to its property of irritating the surrounding tissues. Dentin has an inherent inhibiting effect on intracanal medicaments as it has the buffering effect which tends to neutralise the pH of the medicaments rendering them with decreased antibacterial property. The antibacterial effect of a medicament indicates its level of action. More the antibacterial action, less the dentinal inhibition. A review of scientific literature was done using databases such as pubmed, google scholar, MESH and so on. The time frame of the articles taken is between 2000 to 2020. The results are based on previous studies done on this topic. Newer methods such as bioactive glass, photon induced acoustic streaming and gentlewave system were introduced to overcome this discrepancy in disinfecting the root canal. Even though the success rates of endodontic treatments are high, it can be improved by researching and using newer and better materials for elimination of bacteria. Thus, in this review we have analysed the relation between root canal medicaments and their inhibition by dentin.