Clinical evaluation of root canal irrigants in dogs

Abstract

Bacteria from infected root canals can invade dentinal tubules, thus dentin disinfection is an important aspect of endodontic therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the aerobic and anaerobic microflora contaminating tooth root canals of fractured teeth of dogs, the efficacy of mechanical root canal instrumentation and three endodontic irrigants used in 1% concentration. Twenty nine fractured teeth (12 three-rooted, two double-rooted and 15 single-rooted) with exposure of pulp cavity for two to three months were used in this study. The root canal enlargement was done using K-files and saline as rinsing solution until obtaining clean dentinal shavings. The clean dentinal shavings from the last K-file used were immediately placed into a culture medium as the first sample. The infected canals were exposed to one of the irrigants (iodine, chlorhexidine, sodium hypochlorite) for three minutes. Saline solution served as a control. Viable bacteria recovered from the apical part of root canals were analyzed one months later. Mechanical root canal instrumentation ensured complete removal of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms from 36.4% and 10.9% of treated root canals, respectively. Both aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms were removed completely from 9.1% of root canals by mechanical instrumentation. Chlorhexidine showed the best disinfectant effect followed by iodine and sodium hypochlorite.