From Volume 43, Issue 1, January 2016 | Pages 20-33
The complex anatomy of the tooth limits the ability to eradicate pathogens by mechanical means alone. Irrigation is the key to solving this problem. This paper highlights the importance of irrigation, the key irrigants available and methods of improving the performance of irrigants within the canal.
During endodontic treatment mechanical debridement alone will not rid the root canals of bacteria,1 regardless of whether this is done by hand files or rotary instruments.2 First, instruments do not access the complex shape of the root canal system. (Figure 1).3,4,5,6 Secondly, within these inaccessible regions complex biofilms can develop that are not easily disrupted. Thirdly, instrumentation creates a smear layer that further prevents decontamination of the canal surface dentine and prevents a good adaptation of the obturation material to the canal wall. A sound irrigation regimen can help to deliver antimicrobials to these inaccessible areas of the root canal system, penetrate and remove biofilm and smear layer and even penetrate the dentine.
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