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. 2021 Mar 10;15(2):388–400. doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1724154

Table 1. Antibacterial agents used to disinfect root canals 11 12 .

Agent Name Advantages Disadvantages
Phenolic compounds and their derivatives

  • Eugenol (Eugenol; Cerkamed, Chema)

  • Creosote

  • Creosol

  • Paramonochlorophenol

  • Thymol

  • Bactericidal activity.

  • Strong antiseptics.

  • Direct toxic effects on bacteria.

  • Quick deactivation in contact with tissue fluids.

  • Possible nonspecific immunological reactions.
Mixtures of phenol or derivatives with camphor:

  • Paramonochlorophenol in camphor

  • Camphocresol

  • Chloramphenicol (ChK) (Chakaem; Chema)

  • Dicamphen (Dikamfen; Chema)

  • Cresophene

Formaldehyde and its derivatives

  • Formocresol (Formokrezol; Chema)

  • Tricresol formalin

  • Glutaraldehyde

  • Glutaraldehyde (replacement for formaldehyde) fixing, strong disinfecting property.

  • Potential carcinogenic
Iodine and its derivatives

  • Lugol’s iodine—setons, iontophoresis—aqueous solutions of iodine.

  • Iodoform (Iodoform; Cerkamed, Chema).

  • Calciplast I (Cerkamed).

  • Rapid bactericidal effect

  • Oxidizing effect

  • Fungicidal effect

  • Antiviral effect

  • Risk of allergy.

  • Discoloration of tooth crowns.
Antibiotic-corticosteroid preparations

  • Ledermix paste (Lederle)—triamcinolone + demeclocycline.

  • Pulpomixine paste (Septodont)—dexamethasone + framycetin + polymyxin B.

  • Dexadent ointment (Chema)—dexamethasone + framycetin + polymyxin B.

  • Septomyxine (Septodont)—dexamethasone + polymyxin B sulfate and neomycin + teroticin + episol tartrate.

  • Bactericidal effect

  • Canal sterilization

  • Corticosteroid effects (reduction of exudate, reduction of inflammation, analgesic effect).

  • Possible allergy.

  • Possible formation of resistant strains.

  • Reduction of alkaline phosphatase activity.

  • Corticosteroid activity.

  • Disruption of defensive and immunological processes.
Preparations containing metronidazole

  • 0.5% Metronidazole solution—dental flush.

  • Metronidazole paste—antiseptic liner (metronidazole ointment, Chema; metronidazole gel, Jelfa; Grinazole paste; Septodont).

  • Acts on anaerobic bacteria
Preparations based on calcium hydroxide Nonhardening preparations

  • Prepared ex tempore from Ca(OH) 2 powder and distilled water or physiological salt solution—Biopulp (Chema).

  • Readymade—Calxyl (OCO Präparate GMBH), Calcipulpe (Septodont), Hypocal (Merz), Calasept (Nordiska Dental).

  • Long-lasting bactericidal effect.

  • Therapeutic effect of hydroxyl and calcium ions.

  • Low toxicity to periapical tissues.

  • Poor allergic properties.

  • Desiccating effect

  • Analgesic effect

  • Dissolution of organic residues.
Chlorhexidine

  • 2% Gel—canal rinsing (Gluco-chex 2% gel; Cerkamed).

  • Gutta-percha studs with chlorhexidine (Activ-Point; Roeko).

  • Antibacterial, antifungal, activity against Enterococcus faecalis.