Recent Advances in Endodontic Irrigation Systems

Irrigation is a key part of successful root canal treatment. It has several important functions which may vary according to the irrigant used: it reduces friction between the instrument and dentine improves the cutting effectiveness of the files dissolves tissue cools the file and tooth and furthermore it has a washing effect and an antimicrobial/antibiofilm effect. Irrigation is also the only way to impact those areas of the root canal wall not touched by mechanical instrumentation.Different means of delivery are used for root canal irrigation from traditional syringe-needle delivery to various machine-driven systems including automatic pumps and sonic or ultrasonic energy.