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.