SP-16 - Continuous Chelation in Endodontic Irrigation: Is It Time to Simplify Our Clinical Protocol?

Effective irrigants, irrigant delivery and agitation are pre-requisites to promote root canal disinfection and debris removal and improve successful endodontic treatment. Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is essential to endodontic irrigation because it uniquely dissolves organic tissues and disinfects. Chelators such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) are also needed to remove smear layer and inorganic debris. Therefore, sequences of NaOCl and EDTA are common practice to fulfil all the core functions required of an irrigant. Recently, the concept of continuous chelation was introduced, whereby a chelator is combined with NaOCl for simultaneous antimicrobial and proteolytic actions and with the capacity to remove smear layer and inorganic debris. Continuous chelation is simpler than standard irrigation and some authors have also reported an improved antimicrobial effectiveness, enhanced smear layer and dentinal debris removal, effective tissue dissolution and improved bonding of endodontic materials to dentin. The use of a novel all-in-one, dual-action endodontic irrigation solution may provide several advantages in the clinical conditions and that integration of new technologies, coupled with enhanced techniques and solutions, may help everyday clinical practice.