Intracanal Medicaments
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About intracanal medicaments
Among the medicaments available, calcium hydroxide has been the standard one in endodontic retreatment, for its antimicrobial properties and its ability to eliminate bacterial endotoxins. Its high pH makes the canal alkaline, which disrupts bacterial cell membranes and denatures proteins, and the review calls it highly effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms. It has limits: it does not eradicate bacteria deep in the dentinal tubules, and its low solubility limits how far it penetrates places such as lateral canals. Chlorhexidine is used with it or in its place: in gel form its viscosity helps it stay in the canal, while the calcium hydroxide keeps its role as a barrier material.
Left in the canal between visits, rather than rinsed through it. A paste is placed with a syringe, a rotary spiral or a purpose-made carrier.
Sources: Effectiveness of calcium hydroxide as an intracanal medicament in endodontic retreatment, 2025 (J Conserv Dent Endod) · Intracanal placement of calcium hydroxide: a comparison of a specially designed paste carrier technique with other techniques, 2013 (BMC Oral Health)