Disinfection in endodontics, a field of dentistry which explores the mysterious depths of our teeth to ensure their health and preservation. At the heart of every root canal treatment is a fundamental principle: effective disinfection of root canals. In this article, let's return to the major role that disinfection plays in the prognosis of a treatment and review some elements of the operating protocol.
How important is irrigation in the disinfection process?
Irrigation in endodontics is the centerpiece of the disinfection process!
This helps assist the instrumentation by acting as a lubricant, thus facilitating the progress of the instruments. It also eliminates all debris by creating a constant flow, dissolving organic elements that may be contaminated and remain in the root canal system
Thanks to its bactericidal properties, irrigation will act as a disinfection solution for the endodontic system. Carefully executed irrigation is essential to ensure the success of endodontic treatments and the preservation of dental health.
How to optimize your irrigation?
The principle of irrigation can be divided into two distinct phases, each fulfilling a specific role in the process:
- Irrigation between each use of the instruments, which aims to eliminate debris generated during initial instrumentation.
- The final irrigation phase plays an essential role in the disinfection of the root canal system. This crucial phase only begins after the successful placement of a gutta cone in the canal.
To achieve effective disinfection, the use of two types of irrigation solutions is necessary:
- First of all, a disinfectant solution based on sodium hypochlorite is used for its bactericidal properties.
- Then, a chelating solution is used to mainly dissolve the mineral elements present in the smear layer, thus preparing the ground for complete disinfection.
Which products should you use for your disinfection process?
The choice of products for the disinfection process in endodontics is essential to ensure effective and safe treatment. Here are some of the products commonly used for disinfection in endodontics:
- Sodium hypochlorite , the disinfection solution of choice in endodontics. This product must have a minimum concentration of 1.5% to be effective in endodontics. Higher concentration means increased activity, but it is also associated with increasing toxicity.
Our recommendation for use , how to choose the right sodium hyprochlorite : we recommend that you use 2% or 5% solutions, available from various suppliers, notably available in our product catalog.
- The most commonly used chelating solutions is 17% EDTA . EDTA is used during the final irrigation phase, which begins after shaping is complete.
Our recommendation for use : by introducing it into the canal for 1 to 2 minutes, it dissolves the mineral components of the smear layer. A perfect and immediate result!
- DUAL RINSE : optimize your irrigation sequence by mixing a chelant with the hypochlorite solution. Unlike EDTA, HEDP is completely soluble in sodium hypochlorite, regardless of its concentration.
Our recommendation for use: one capsule dissolves in 10 mL of sodium hypochlorite solution and remains stable for approximately 2 hours. This simplifies your root canal disinfection protocol.
In our catalog you will find all the instruments necessary for good practice of endodontic treatments - we invite you to take a look. Our selection of products has been made by dentists to meet your requirements!
How to simplify an endodontic irrigation protocol?
In endodontics, irrigation plays an essential role in the disinfection of the root canal system. The protocols are well established but continue to give rise to debates and questions.
Using different solutions complicates the task. Can these procedures be simplified? For an in-depth understanding, we invite you to read the article on simplifying your irrigation!
