Role of vehicles on antimicrobial efficacy of calcium hydroxide

Abstract

Adequate disinfection of the root canal system plays a crucial role in ensuring the enduring success of endodontic therapy. While chemomechanical preparation is a major part of disinfection protocol, intracanal medicaments, such as calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), help in eliminating the microbial flora that remains even after chemomechanical preparation. Enhancing the action of these antimicrobial agents will improve disinfection. Various vehicles have been studied that augment the action of intracanal medicaments and debate about their supremacy has been ongoing. Aqueous, viscous, and oily tensioactive agents serve their functions and have their own limitations. This review was undertaken to comprehensively analyze the effect of various vehicles on the antimicrobial activity of Ca(OH)2. In conclusion, aqueous, viscous, and oily vehicles have different advantages, and the type of vehicle utilized depends on the clinical situation at hand.