Irrigating Solutions, Devices, and Techniques

Irrigation is an important part of root canal treatment. Different irrigating solutions, such as sodium hypochlorite, chlorhexidine, chelators, and their combinations, are currently used to clean and disinfect root canals, since no single irrigant can achieve all these goals. However, their action depends on coming in close contact with their targets, which requires effective delivery to all areas of the root canal system – and in some cases, on the enhancement of their activity. Syringes and needles have traditionally been used for irrigant delivery, but over the years research and manufacturing efforts have been concentrated on the development of new and more elaborate techniques and devices in order to supplement conventional syringe irrigation or even to replace it. Novel delivery systems and agitation by various methods have been introduced to improve cleaning and disinfection of the root canal system. This chapter discusses the properties of the most common irrigants, their effectiveness against microbes, pulp tissue remnants, and hard-tissue debris, their possible adverse effects, and the characteristics of the most widely used irrigant delivery and activation/agitation methods.