Temporary Root Canal Obturation with a Calcium Hydroxide-Based Dressing: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Antibiotics, vol. 12, pp. 1663

Abstract

Successful bacterial inactivation or elimination is essential for successful outcomes in endodontics. This study investigated the efficacy of a calcium hydroxide paste (Ca(OH)2) as a temporary medical dressing for 1 week after chemomechanical root canal treatment (CMRCT). Microbiological samples from 26 patients were collected after endodontic emergency treatment as follows: (1) removal of the provisional filling material; (2) CMRCT; (3) irrigation with sodium hypochlorite I (3%); (4) medicinal insertion of Ca(OH)2; and (5) irrigation with sodium hypochlorite II (3%). A microbiological examination was carried out after the specimens had been taken from the root canals via saline and sterile paper points. CMRCT resulted in a significant reduction in total bacterial load (TBL) in the root canal (p < 0.05). Additional irrigation (3) resulted in a further significant reduction in TBL (p < 0.05). In contrast, Ca(OH)2 medication did not prevent the bacterial load from returning to the previous level immediately after CMRCT, but did not increase above that level either (p < 0.05). However, the increase in TBL was significant (p < 0.05) in comparison with the disinfection groups (I/II). Administration of Ca(OH)2 for 1 week shows that in combination with an additional disinfection procedure, an increase in TBL must be expected, but not above the level of conditions after CMRCT.

Authors 4

1. Johannes-Simon Wenzler corresponding Aachen Department of Operative Dentistry

   Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg · Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Operative Dentistry, Endodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, Campus Marburg, University Medical Center Giessen and Marburg, Georg-Voigt-Strasse 3, 35039 Marburg, Germany

   Department of Operative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule University Hospital, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany

2. Wolfgang Falk
   Affiliation as printed

   Center for Oro-Dental Microbiology, Hamburger Chausse 25, 24220 Flintbek, Germany

3. Roland Frankenberger

   Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Operative Dentistry, Endodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, Campus Marburg, University Medical Center Giessen and Marburg, Georg-Voigt-Strasse 3, 35039 Marburg, Germany

4. Andreas Braun Aachen Department of Operative Dentistry

   Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg · Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Operative Dentistry, Endodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, Campus Marburg, University Medical Center Giessen and Marburg, Georg-Voigt-Strasse 3, 35039 Marburg, Germany

   Department of Operative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule University Hospital, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany