Medicaments: aids to success in endodontics. Part 1. A review of the literature.

Bacteria play a major role in pulpal and periapical disease. They are capable of surviving in dentinal tubules and other canal ramifications that are inaccessible to mechanical instrumentation and irrigation. In order to predictably achieve bacteria-free root canal systems, especially in pulpless teeth, it is necessary to use intra-canal medicaments. These medicaments must be capable of destroying bacteria, reducing inflammation and stimulating hard tissue formation whilst not being toxic to the host tissues. Consideration of a material's therapeutic action must be made when selecting a medicament for any pathological condition. Many of the commercial preparations do not satisfy the requirements for the ideal root canal medicament.