Objective: Through clinical observation on an formula containing mainly Ca(OH)(2) for dental canal sterilization to confirm it as an ideal canal sterilizer.
Methods: 5% (M/V) of Ca(OH)(2) in glycerol was used as dental canal sterilizer. Patients with acute or chronic apical periodontitis were randomly selected, and their symptoms were recorded before treatment. The dental canals were prepared routinely only with exception of that the sterilizer was 5%(M/V) of Ca(OH)(2) in glycerol and paper point or cotton point soaked with and the canals were sealed for 5 to 7 days. Then the canals were filled if there was no positive symptom or re-sterilized, if symptom did not totally disappear.
Results: Through sterilization with the formula used in this study, the symptom disappeared swiftly. Specifically, after the canals sterilized for one to two times, there was no symptom that could be seen in all patients studied. The rate of symptom disappeared from 89% to 98% could be detected in acute apical periodontitis and the rate of no symptom was from 94% to 99% in chronic periodontitis. Additionally, through the study for more than one year, the formula maintained thin paste state that was convenient for use.
Conclusion: In addition to safety, using the formula with Ca(OH)(2) as main sterilizer is effective in dental canal sterilization for the formula dramatically improving the symptom.