Endo Flashcards
(12 cards)
What are the ideal properties of an endodontic irrigant - biological?
High bacterial efficacy against microoganisms in biofilms and their planktonic state
Inactivate endotoxin
Nontoxic and hypoallergenic to vital tissues
What are the ideal properties of an endodontic irrigant - mechanical?
Flush out debris
Lubricate the canal
What are the ideal properties of an endodontic irrigant - chemical?
Dissolve organic tissue
Dissolve inorganic tissue and remove smear layer
What are the pros of sodium hypochlorite?
Can dissolve organic tissue (less effectively in lower concentrations)
Efficient against broad range of microbiota - antimicrobial
Can reduce bacterial virulence factors
Lubricates rotary instruments
Low cost, wide availability
What concentration should we use of NaOCl?
0.5-0.6%
What are the cons of sodium hypochlorite?
Reacts with collagen in dentine matrix esp after chelating agent
Hypochlorite incidents
Not a chelator - cannot dissolve hard tissue debris/smear layer
What are the pros of CHX?
Broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent
Residual antimicrobial activity upto 12 weeks
Cons of CHX
Cytotoxic to human cells
Does not dissolve organic tissue, biofilm or organic matter
Reacts with residual NaOCl to form a potentially toxic orange-brown precipitate that may also cause discolouration
Should you use CHX as the only irrigation solution?
No, it has been suggested as a final rinse as it is adsorbed into dentine and can show residual antimicrobial activity upto 12 weeks
What are the pros of EDTA?
Chelator
Breaks down inorganic tissue and smear layer
More biocompatible than NaOCl
Inexpensive and widely available
Cons of EDTA?
No antimicrobial properties (so use at end after NaOCl)
Reduces antibacterial effect of NaOCl
What other chelators are there?
Apart from EDTA, citric acid, maleic acid
