Smear Layer Removing Ability of Root Canal Irrigation Solutions: A Review.

AIM: The purpose of this review is to address the smear layer removing the ability of root different canal irrigants including ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), a mixture of tetracycline, acid and detergent (MTAD), tetraclean, citric acid, Q-Mix, maleic acid, and smear clear. BACKGROUND: Smear layer is a layer which is produced during instrumentation. It contains both organic and inorganic materials. It may also contain bacteria and their byproduct considering the root canal situation. This layer may prevent the penetration of the healing material introduced to the canal to the interior of the dentinal tubules. In addition, it can affect the adaptation of sealing materials to the root canal walls. REVIEW RESULTS: The smear layer removal ability of MTAD is superior and faster than EDTA. Tetraclean is similarly composed of an acid, an antibiotic, and a detergent. The presence of doxycycline is believed to help the smear layer removal ability of these irrigants. Antibiotics such as tetracycline had similar smear layer removal ability as even citric acid. EDTA is an amino acid with a chelating ability that sequestrates metal ions. Some believed EDTA smear layer removing ability is better than MTAD, tetraclean, SmearClear, and 20% citric acid which is controversial in case of comparison between MTAD and EDTA. Phosphoric acid is efficient enough to be comparable to EDTA in removing the smear layer. Maleic acid is an organic compound with acid etching smear layer removal. Its ability seems to be similar or even better than EDTA. Citric acid as another organic acid is believed to be used as smear removing agent. HEBP is another chelating agent that can be used in combination with NaOCl; however, HEBP is a weak decalcifying agent compared to EDTA and hence cannot be applied as a mere final rinse. QMiX is a combination of CHX, EDTA, and detergent and should be used at final rinse. It is believed that QMiX is as efficient as EDTA. Smear clear is a 17% EDTA solution including an anionic and cationic (cetrimide) surfactant. The ability of QMiX is similar to EDTA. CONCLUSION: There are different canal irrigation solutions with various smear layer removal ability that some should be used as a mere final rinse and some should not. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The usage of canal irrigation solutions depends on the clinical situation and preference of the dentists. This study provides a good guide for clinician of the field.

Comparison of Antimicrobial Substantivity of Six Root Canal Irrigants against Enterococcus faecalis.

Introduction: The antimicrobial substantivity of Mixture of Doxycycline, Citric acid, and Tween 80 (MTAD), Tetraclean, Tetraclean NA, Q-Mix, 2% Chlorhexidine (CHX) and Octenisept was assessed in human root dentine blocks infected with Enterococcus (E.) faecalis. Methods and Materials: A total of 170 dentine tubes were prepared from human maxillary incisors. After crown and apical third removal, cementum was abraded. The remaining center-holed pieces were cut into 4-mm blocks, infected with E. faecalis in Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) broth for 28 days, then randomly divided into 6 experimental groups (n=25) and 2 controls (n=10). At 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, dentine chips were removed from the canals, with sequential round burs with increasing diameters, and collected into freshly prepared BHI broth. After culturing, growing colonies were counted as colony forming units (CFU). Conventional non-parametric tests (Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests) were used to assess intra-group (at different time frames) and inter-group (at each experimental time) differences (P=0.05). Results: Tetraclean yielded the lowest CFU counts (P<0.001) at each observation time. Tetraclean NA and Q-Mix showed better (P<0.001) substantivity than 2% CHX and MTAD (except for Q-Mix versus MTAD at 14 days, P=0.21). Conclusions: In this in vitro study, Tetraclean NA and Q-Mix displayed the best antimicrobial substantivity against E. faecalis after Tetraclean in infected human root dentine. Considering the findings of our study and potential drawbacks of antibiotic-based irrigants, free-antibiotic irrigants may represent viable alternative for final rinse in root canal treatment.

Recent Advances in Root Canal Disinfection: A Review.

The microbial biofilm is an important factor for human infection. Finding effective antimicrobial strategies should be considered for decreasing antimicrobial resistance and controlling the infectious diseases. Treatment of infected canal systems may not be able to remove all bacteria and so bacterial persistence after treatment may occur. Application of antibacterial nanoparticles may be a potential strategy to improve the elimination of bacteria from the canal. Furthermore, mechanism of action and applications of photodynamic therapy and Photon-induced photoacoustic streaming (PIPS) and GentleWave system was reviewed.

Root Canal Irrigants and Dentin Bonding: An Update.

The purpose of the review was to assess the effect of root canal irrigants on dentin bonding. A PubMed-based search was conducted on the articles published from 1980 to 2016. A brief overview and reviewing the effect on dentin bonding of common root canal irrigation solutions such as sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), chlorhexidine (CHX), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), mixture of a tetracycline, acid and a detergent (MTAD) and ozone was conducted. Findings showed that, depending on the type of dentin bonding, using NaOCl may decrease, increase or not affect the bond strength. In addition, due to its broad-spectrum matrix metalloproteinase-inhibitory effect, CHX as well as MTAD can significantly improve the resin-dentin bond stability. However, the effect of ozone therapy on bond strength was controversial.

Effect of Surfactants on the Efficacy of Root Canal Irrigants: A Review.

The mechanical debridement of the root canal system fails to completely remove debris from the root canal walls. So, one or more irrigants must be used for complete disinfection of the root canal system (RCS). One possible way to improve the bactericidal efficacy of the disinfecting solutions is to incorporate different detergents as surface active agents to help reduce the surface tension and increase the wettability of the solutions. Surfactants have been added to various root canal irrigation solutions. The purpose of this paper is to review the effects of adding surfactants to established root canal irrigants and new surfactant-containing root canal irrigants.

Penetration of hypochlorites with lowered surface tension into dentine tubules.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of concentration and temperature of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) with added surfactants and time of exposure on its penetration into human dentine. METHODS: Seventy-five extracted permanent maxillary anterior teeth with single canals were shaped by using ProTaper SX hand-operated instruments. Then teeth were sectioned perpendicular to their long axis. The crowns and apical thirds of all the teeth were removed. The remaining roots were processed into 4-mm-long blocks and stained overnight in crystal violet. One hundred fifty stained blocks were further split into halves and treated by six NaOCl-based solutions from different brands: three solutions added with surfactants (Hypoclean, H6, Chlor-Xtra) and their regular counterparts (5.25%, 6%, <%6NaOCl). The dentine blocks were exposed to the solutions for 2, 5, and 20 minutes at 20° C, 37° C, and 45° C, respectively. The depth of penetration of NaOCl was determined by bleaching of the stain and measured by light microscopy at magnifications of 20x and 40x. Statistical analysis was made by using two way ANOVA and by comparing groups two by two with t-test. RESULTS: The shortest penetration (130.80±1.92µm) was measured after incubation with 5.25%NaOCl for 2 minutes at 20° C; the highest penetration (375.40±3.05µm) was obtained with Chlor-Xtra for 20 minutes at 45° C. Temperature and exposure time had a significant direct relationship with penetration of sodium hypochlorites with lowered surface tension into dentinal tubules. CONCLUSIONS: The exposure time and temperature of sodium hypochlorite as well as the addition of surfactants may influence the penetration depth of irrigants into dentinal tubules.

Penetration of Sodium Hypochlorite Modified with Surfactants into Root Canal Dentin.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of concentration, exposure time and temperature of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) added with surfactants on its penetration into dentinal tubules. Sixty-five extracted human permanent maxillary anterior teeth with single canals were prepared by ProTaper SX hand-operated instruments. The teeth were then sectioned perpendicular to the long axis. The crowns and apical thirds of all the teeth were removed. The remaining roots were processed into 4-mm-long blocks and stained overnight in crystal violet. One hundred and thirty stained blocks were further split into halves and treated by nine different types of NaOCl-based solutions. Three solutions were added with surfactants (Hypoclean, H6, Chlor-Xtra) and the others were regular hypochlorites at increasing concentrations (1%, 2%, 4%, 5.25%, <6%, 6% NaOCl) from different brands. The dentin blocks were exposed to the solutions for 2, 5, and 20 min at 20 °C, 37 °C and 45 °C, respectively. The depth of NaOCl penetration was determined by bleaching of the stain and measured by light microscopy at 20x and 40x. Statistical comparisons were made by using a generalized linear model with Bonferroni's post-hoc correction. The shortest penetration (81±6.6 µm) was obtained after incubation in 1% NaOCl for 2 min at 20 °C; the highest penetration (376.3±3.8 µm) was obtained with Chlor-Xtra for 20 min at 45 °C. Varying NaOCl concentration produced a minimal effect while temperature and exposure time had a significant direct relationship with NaOCl penetration into dentinal tubules, especially those with lowered surface tension. The exposure time and temperature of sodium hypochlorite as well as the addition of surfactants may influence the penetration depth of irrigants into dentinal tubules.

Penetration of Sodium Hypochlorite Modified with Surfactants into Root Canal Dentin

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of concentration, exposure time and temperature of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) added with surfactants on its penetration into dentinal tubules. Sixty-five extracted human permanent maxillary anterior teeth with single canals were prepared by ProTaper SX hand-operated instruments. The teeth were then sectioned perpendicular to the long axis. The crowns and apical thirds of all the teeth were removed. The remaining roots were processed into 4-mm-long blocks and stained overnight in crystal violet. One hundred and thirty stained blocks were further split into halves and treated by nine different types of NaOCl-based solutions. Three solutions were added with surfactants (Hypoclean, H6, Chlor-Xtra) and the others were regular hypochlorites at increasing concentrations (1%, 2%, 4%, 5.25%, <6%, 6% NaOCl) from different brands. The dentin blocks were exposed to the solutions for 2, 5, and 20 min at 20 °C, 37 °C and 45 °C, respectively. The depth of NaOCl penetration was determined by bleaching of the stain and measured by light microscopy at 20 and 40. Statistical comparisons were made by using a generalized linear model with Bonferroni's post-hoc correction. The shortest penetration (81±6.6 μm) was obtained after incubation in 1% NaOCl for 2 min at 20 °C; the highest penetration (376.3±3.8 μm) was obtained with Chlor-Xtra for 20 min at 45 °C. Varying NaOCl concentration produced a minimal effect while temperature and exposure time had a significant direct relationship with NaOCl penetration into dentinal tubules, especially those with lowered surface tension. The exposure time and temperature of sodium hypochlorite as well as the addition of surfactants may influence the penetration depth of irrigants into dentinal tubules.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da concentração, tempo de exposição e temperatura de hipoclorito de sódio (NaOCl) acrescidos de tensioativos na penetração nos túbulos dentinários. Sessenta e cinco dentes superiores humanos uniradiculares extraídos foram preparadas usando instrumentos ProTaper SX operados manualmente. Os dentes foram seccionados perpendicularmente ao longo eixo. As coroas e o terço apical foram removidos. Os restantes das raízes foram transformadas em blocos de 4-mm de comprimento e coradas durante em violeta de cristal. Cento e trinta blocos foram posteriormente divididos em metades e tratados por nove tipos diferentes de soluções de NaOCl. Três soluções com tensioativos foram adicionadas (Hypoclean, H6, Chlor-Xtra); e os outros foram os hipocloritos regulares em concentrações crescentes (1, 2, 4, 5,25, <6 and 6% de NaOCl) de diferentes origens. Os blocos de dentina foram expostos às soluções de 2, 5 e 20 min a 20 °C, 37 °C e 45 °C, respectivamente. A profundidade de penetração do NaOCl foi determinada pelo branqueamento da mancha e medido em microscopia de luz com ampliações de 20× e 40×. Comparações estatísticas foram feitas usando um modelo linear generalizado com a correção de Bonferroni (post-hoc). A menor penetração (81±6,6 m) foi medida após incubação com 1% de hipoclorito de sódio durante 2 min a 20 °C; a maior penetração (376,3±3,8 m) foi obtida com Chlor-Xtra durante 20 min a 45 °C. Variando a concentração do NaOCl verificou-se um efeito mínimo, enquanto que a temperatura e o tempo de exposição teve uma relação significativa direta com a penetração de hipocloritos de sódio, especialmente aqueles com tensão superficial reduzido, nos túbulos dentinários. O tempo de exposição e temperatura do hipoclorito de sódio bem como a adição de agentes tensioativos pode influenciar significativamente a profundidade de penetração de soluções irrigantes nos túbulos dentinários.

Management of Root Resorption Using Chemical Agents: A Review.

Root resorption (RR) is defined as the loss of dental hard tissues because of clastic activity inside or outside of tooth the root. In the permanent dentition, RR is a pathologic event; if untreated, it might result in the premature loss of the affected tooth. Several hypotheses have been suggested as the mechanisms of root resorption such as absence of the remnants of Hertwig's epithelial root sheath (HERS) and the absence of some intrinsic factors in cementum and predentin such as amelogenin or osteoprotegerin (OPG). It seems that a barrier is formed by the less-calcified intermediate cementum or the cementodentin junction that prevents external RR. There are several chemical strategies to manage root resorption. The purpose of this paper was to review several chemical agents to manage RR such as tetracycline, sodium hypochlorite, acids (citric acid, phosphoric acid, ascorbic acid and hydrochloric acid), acetazolamide, calcitonin, alendronate, fluoride, Ledermix and Emdogain.

Impact of Ultrasonic Activation on the Effectiveness of Sodium Hypochlorite: A Review.

Using ultrasonic devices in endodontics can enhance the antibacterial and tissue dissolving ability of different root canal irrigants such as sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) which is the most common irrigant with excellent antibacterial and tissue dissolving abilities. However, due to its high surface tension, its penetration into the irregularities of the root canal system is a challenge. The purpose of this paper was to review the different ultrasonic devices, different types of ultrasonic irrigation, the effect(s) of ultrasonic activation on the antibacterial and biofilm-removal abilities of NaOCl as well as the effect of ultrasonic activation on the smear layer removal ability of NaOCl.

Agonistic and Antagonistic Interactions between Chlorhexidine and Other Endodontic Agents: A Critical Review.

Root canal irrigants play a significant role in elimination of the microorganisms, tissue remnants, and removal of the debris and smear layer. No single solution is able to fulfill all these actions completely; therefore, a combination of irrigants may be required. The aim of this investigation was to review the agonistic and antagonistic interactions between chlorhexidine (CHX) and other irrigants and medicaments. An English-limited Medline search was performed for articles published from 2002 to 2014. The searched keywords included: chlorhexidine AND sodium hypochlorite/ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid/calcium hydroxide/mineral trioxide aggregate. Subsequently, a hand search was carried out on the references of result articles to find more matching papers. Findings showed that the combination of CHX and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) causes color changes and the formation of a neutral and insoluble precipitate; CHX forms a salt with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). In addition, it has been demonstrated that the alkalinity of calcium hydroxide (CH) remained unchanged after mixing with CHX. Furthermore, mixing CHX with CH may enhance its antimicrobial activity; also mixing mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) powder with CHX increases its antimicrobial activity but this may negatively affect its mechanical properties.

Antibacterial power of sodium hypochlorite combined with surfactants and acetic acid.

The aim of this ex vivo study was to compare the antibacterial power of 1% NaOCl with 1% acetic acid, 5.25% NaOCl and two commercially available NaOCl modified with surfactants in bovine root dentin. A total of 120 dentin tubes prepared from intact bovine incisors were infected for 21 days with Enterococcus faecalis and randomly divided into six groups as follows: 5.25%NaOCl; Hypoclean; Chlor-Xtra; 1% NaOCl with 1% acetic acid; infected dentin tubes (positive control); and sterile dentin tubes (negative control). At experimental times of 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, dentin chips were collected using sequential round burs with increasing diameters in separate test tubes containing 3 mL of freshly prepared BHI. Statistical analysis were performed using parametric methods (one-way ANOVA, and Bonferroni's multiple comparisons test, α=0.01). After culturing, the number of colony-forming units (CFU) was counted. All the NaOCl solutions showed small number of CFU over 28 days. ChlorXtra and Hypoclean had the smallest number of CFU at all times with greater antimicrobial efficacy than 5.25% NaOCl and 1% NaOCl solution with 1% acetic acid.

Effect of irrigation with Tetraclean on bacterial leakage of obturated root canals.

The purpose of the study presented here was to evaluate the effect of Tetraclean, Hypoclean, Chlor-XTRA, 2% chlorhexidine and 6% sodium hypochlorite/17% EDTA as a final irrigant on bacterial leakage of the root canal. One hundred and fifty-five extracted human maxillary central incisors were randomly divided into five experimental groups of 25 teeth each and two control groups of 15 teeth each. The root canals in each group were irrigated with 2 ml of the relevant irrigant between each filing. The root canals in group 5 were irrigated with 5 ml of 17% EDTA at the end of root canal preparation. The teeth in each group were obturated with gutta-percha and AH-26 sealer. Positive control teeth were obturated with a single gutta-percha cone without sealer, and negative controls were obturated in the same way as experimental groups. The coronal portion of each root was placed in contact with inoculum of Enterococcus faecalis in Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) culture media. Findings showed that the mean number of days for bacterial penetration in the Tetraclean group was greater than for other experimental groups. On the other hand, the Chlor-XTRA Vista group showed the fewest mean number of days for bacterial leakage.

Antibacterial Power of Sodium Hypochlorite Combined with Surfactants and Acetic Acid

The aim of this ex vivo study was to compare the antibacterial power of 1% NaOCl with 1% acetic acid, 5.25% NaOCl and two commercially available NaOCl modified with surfactants in bovine root dentin. A total of 120 dentin tubes prepared from intact bovine incisors were infected for 21 days with Enterococcus faecalis and randomly divided into six groups as follows: 5.25%NaOCl; Hypoclean; Chlor-Xtra; 1% NaOCl with 1% acetic acid; infected dentin tubes (positive control); and sterile dentin tubes (negative control). At experimental times of 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, dentin chips were collected using sequential round burs with increasing diameters in separate test tubes containing 3 mL of freshly prepared BHI. Statistical analysis were performed using parametric methods (one-way ANOVA, and Bonferroni's multiple comparisons test, α=0.01). After culturing, the number of colony-forming units (CFU) was counted. All the NaOCl solutions showed small number of CFU over 28 days. ChlorXtra and Hypoclean had the smallest number of CFU at all times with greater antimicrobial efficacy than 5.25% NaOCl and 1% NaOCl solution with 1% acetic acid.

O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o poder antibacteriano do hipoclorito de sódio a 1% acrescido do ácido acético 1%, do NaOCl 5,25%, e de duas soluções irrigadoras modificadas com surfactantes, Hypoclean e Chlor-Xtra, em tubos de dentina bovina. Um total de 120 tubos de dentina preparados a partir de incisivos bovinos foram infectados durante 28 dias com o Enterococcus faecalis, e aleatoriamente divididos em seis grupos: NaOCl 5,25%; Hypoclean; Chlor-Xtra; NaOCl 1% com ácido acético 1%; tubos de dentina infectados (controle positivo); e tubos de dentina esterilizados (controle negativo). Em períodos de tempo de 0, 7, 14, 21 e 28 dias, raspas de dentina foram coletadas usando brocas esféricas com diâmetros crescentes, e mantidas em tubos de ensaio contendo 3 mL de infusão cérebro coração (brain heart infusion). A análise dos dados foi feita com testes paramétricos (ANOVA a um fator e teste de comparações múltiplas de Bonferroni, α=1%). Após a cultura, o número de unidades formadoras de colônias (UFC) foi contado. Todas as soluções de hipoclorito de sódio mostraram pequena quantidade de UFC nos períodos por até 28 dias. Chlor Xtra e Hypoclean tiveram menor número de UFC em todos os períodos observados, com maior efetividade antimicrobiana do que o NaOCl 5,25% e do que o NaOCl a 1% com ácido acético a 1%.

Microbial biofilms in endodontic infections: an update review.

Biofilms and microbial aggregates are the common mechanisms for the survival of bacteria in nature. In other words, the ability to form biofilms has been regarded as a virulence factor. Microbial biofilms play an essential role in several infectious diseases such as pulp and periradicular pathosis. The aim of this article was to review the adaptation mechanisms of biofilms, their roles in pulpal and periapical pathosis, factors influencing biofilm formation, mechanisms of their antimicrobial resistance, models developed to create biofilms, observation techniques of endodontic biofilms, and the effects of root canal irrigants and medicaments as well as lasers on endodontic biofilms. The search was performed from 1982 to December 2010, and was limited to papers in English language. The keywords searched on Medline were "biofilms and endodontics," "biofilms and root canal irrigation," "biofilms and intra-canal medicament," and "biofilms and lasers." The reference section of each article was manually searched to find other suitable sources of information.

Evaluation of the antifungal activity of four solutions used as a final rinse in vitro.

The aim of the study was to compare the antifungal activity of 1.3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2% chlorhexidine (CHX), MTAD and Tetraclean as a final rinse against Candida albicans in a human tooth model in vitro. Ninety extracted human maxillary central and lateral incisor teeth were randomly divided into four groups each with 20 teeth, a positive and a negative control each with five teeth. After preparing the root canals, teeth were inoculated with Candida albicans (ATCC 10261) and incubated for 72 h. Teeth were divided into four experimental groups according to the irrigation solution as follows: NaOCl, CHX, MTAD and Tetraclean. After culturing aliquots from the experimental teeth on Sabouraud 4% dextrose agar, colony-forming units were counted. The results showed that 1.3% NaOCl and 2% CHX were equally effective and significantly superior to MTAD and Tetraclean (P < 0.05). Furthermore, antifungal efficacy of Tetraclean was significantly superior to MTAD (P < 0.05).

Effect of initial irrigation with sodium hypochlorite on residual antibacterial activity of tetraclean.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of dentin pretreatment with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) on the antibacterial substantivity of Tetraclean in bovine root dentin in vitro. One hundred and forty dentin tubes prepared from bovine incisor teeth were infected with Enterococcus faecalis for 14 days. The specimens were divided into five groups as follows: Tetraclean; 5.25% NaOCl/Tetraclean; 2% chlorhexidine (CHX); infected dentin tubes (positive control); and sterile dentin tubes (negative control). Round burs were used to collect dentin chips into tryptic soy broth. After culturing, the number of colony-forming units (CFU) was counted. In all experimental groups, the number of CFU was minimal in the first cultures. And the results obtained were significantly different from each other at any time period (p < 0.05). The Tetraclean group showed the most effective antibacterial action at all five experimental periods (p < 0.05). The NaOCl/Tetraclean group showed lesser antibacterial substantivity than Tetraclean at all time periods (p< 0.05). The chlorhexidine group showed the least antibacterial activity at all time periods. In conclusion, the residual antibacterial activity of Tetraclean was significantly decreased in dentin samples pretreated with NaOCl.

Antimicrobial effect of three new and two established root canal irrigation solutions.

This study sought to assess the efficacy of two established and three relatively new root canal irrigants against five different microorganisms using the agar diffusion method. Sodium hypochloride (NaOCl)-based irrigants demonstrated the most effective antimicrobial activity.

Antibacterial activity of a new mineral trioxide aggregate-based root canal sealer.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the antibacterial effect of AH-26, white-coloured mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA) and CPM sealer against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans after 24 h and 1 week. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All materials were prepared according to the manufacturers' directions immediately before testing. The antibacterial effect of each agent was determined by measuring the diameter of the zone of inhibition in millimetres after incubation at 37°C for 24 h and 7 days in a humid atmosphere. Each test was repeated three times. RESULTS: In the 24-h and 7-day samples, the antibacterial activity of AH-26 was significantly greater than that of the two other materials tested against both bacteria (P < 0.05). The antibacterial activities of CPM sealer and WMTA against S. aureus were not significantly different (P > 0.05) in 24-h or 7-day samples, but CPM sealer demonstrated a significantly greater effect than WMTA against S. mutans (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: All products studied exhibited antibacterial activity. However, in 24-h and 7-day samples, AH-26 exerted the greatest activity against both organisms tested.