Effect of triple antibiotic paste on clinical success in patients undergoing endodontic treatment-a systematic review

Abstract

Background. Endodontic treatment involves eliminating infected pulp tissue from root canals and disinfecting to foster healing. Triple Antibiotic Paste (TAP) is commonly used, comprising metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, and minocycline, aiming to enhance endodontic procedure success. Aim. This review aims to systematically compare and evaluate the effect of Triple Antibiotic Paste on clinical success in patients undergoing endodontic treatment. Materials and methods. Extensive searches across PubMed Central, Cochrane Database, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were conducted. Title and abstract screenings identified relevant TAP studies. After full-text screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessment (using RoB 2) were performed. Results. Eight studies met inclusion criteria. From various databases, including Cochrane Library (43 studies), Google Scholar (1,030 studies), PubMed (3 studies), and Science Direct (3 studies), eight relevant studies were selected. No additional studies were found through cross-referencing. TAP showed effectiveness as an intracanal medicament and in Lesion Sterilisation Tissue Repair therapy. However, calcium hydroxide exhibited comparable efficacy as an intracanal medicament. Conclusion. Despite limitations, TAP exhibits promise in endodontic treatment. Calcium hydroxide remains a viable alternative. These findings contribute to refining treatment protocols and improving patient outcomes.