The Effectiveness of a Chitosan-Citrate Solution to Remove the Smear Layer in Root Canal Treatment- An in-vitro Study

Successful endodontic treatment is based on shaping, cleaning and 3D sealing of the root canal system. Still today in clinical practice is challenging effective removal of smear layer, especially in teeth with complex endodontic anatomy or in retreatment cases. Many solutions are used as irrigants but most of them have disadvantages as for use alone and in combination - sodium hypochlorite, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, citric acid, hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine, saline solution, distilled water, etc. The endodontic science still looking for the ideal irrigant, the solution which meets all the requirements. In this respect chitosan is quite unique bio-based polymer with different characteristics that make it one of the promising exploitable material in medicine. Now a day as an alternative antimicrobial agent in dentistry was proposed the use of chitosan.