Removal efficiency of propolis paste dressing from the root canal

Abstract

Objetives The aim of this study was to investigate through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) the cleaning of root canal walls after the use of experimental propolis or calcium hydroxide root canal dressings. Material and Methods Twenty single-rooted teeth were used. After conventional cleaning and shaping procedures and removal of the smear layer with 17% EDTA, the teeth were divided into four groups according to the medication used (N=5): Group I (control) - No drug, Group II - Calcium hydroxide dressing, Group III - Propolis paste A70D and Group IV - Propolis paste D70D. The medications were introduced into the root canals and maintained for 7 days, then removed with a K-file and 5 mL of 1% sodium hypochlorite irrigation. Finally, the canals were flushed with 2 mL of 17% EDTA for 3 min. For SEM analysis, the roots were cleaved and microphotographs from the middle third of the root canal were taken at 750x. The cleaning of the root canal walls was determined by the number of open dentinal tubules as verified with the software Image Tool 3.1. The statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA and Tukey's test (p<0.05). Results The results showed no statistically significant difference between the calcium hydroxide and propolis groups. Conclusions The experimental propolis pastes presented acceptable physical characteristics to be used as intracanal medicaments.

Effects of calcium hydroxide and propolis intracanal medicaments on bond strength of resin-based endodontic sealer as assessed by push-out test

“…Several authors have evaluated the difficulty of removing intracanal medicaments from root canal walls, especially in the apical apart of the root canal 10,[24][25][26] . Presence of their residues could adversely affect dentinal bond strength and compromise endodontic sealing.…”

“…Presence of their residues could adversely affect dentinal bond strength and compromise endodontic sealing. Victorino et al 10) evaluated the removal efficiency of inter-appointment endodontic dressing materials (propolis paste and Ca(OH) 2 paste) using 1% NaOCl, 17% EDTA, and saline as final irrigation solutions. They found no significant differences in root canal cleanliness for the removal of propolis or Ca(OH) 2 root canal dressings with these irrigants.…”

“…They found no significant differences in root canal cleanliness for the removal of propolis or Ca(OH) 2 root canal dressings with these irrigants. Based on the findings of Victorino et al 10) , 1% NaOCl, 17% EDTA, and saline were therefore used in this study to remove intracanal dressing materials before obturation. Apart from irrigants, other irrigation methodologies were explored and passive ultrasonic agitation of irrigation solutions was found to be more effective than irrigantonly techniques 25,[27][28][29] .…”

“…Propolis has been proven to have antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans and polymicrobial cultures collected from necrotic root canals 9) . It was also shown to be useful as a root canal dressing because of its low toxicity and broad antibacterial spectrum 10) . Another prerequisite of intracanal medicaments is that they must be easily removed from root canal walls.…”

Calcium Hydroxide in Endodontics: An Overview

“…Calcium hydroxide is the most commonly used intracanal medicament [26]. However, incomplete removal of the material from the canal may adversely affect sealer performance and subsequent long-term prognosis [27] [28].…”