Effects of root canal irrigants and medicaments on dentin and vice versa: a review of Literature

Microorganisms are very important in the initiation of pulpo-periapical pathosis. Due to the complexity of the root canal system, the mechanical instrumentation of the root canal system should be supplemented with proper canal irrigants and medicaments. It has been revealed that due to the interactions of canal irrigants and medicaments with dentin and contents of the canal system, the antimicrobial effect of canal irrigants and medicaments in canal (ex vivo) are different from that in vitro. Furthermore, root canal irrigants may decrease the fracture resistance of dentin. The purpose of this paper was to review the data on the interactions between root canal irrigants/medicaments and dentin/root canal contents.