Technologies

An Endodontic Irrigant that Uses Cysteamine Instead of Sodium Hypochlorite to Kill Bacteria

This irrigant for use with root canal procedures kills bacteria and removes biofilms within the root canal system more effectively and causes less tissue damage than bleach. Endodontists perform more than 15 million root canal procedures each year, according to the American Association of Endodontists. Currently, the most commonly used irrigant in root canal therapy is sodium hypochlorite (bleach), but this antimicrobial also has the potential to cause serious tissue damage and adverse events.
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed an antibacterial root canal irrigant solution that uses cysteamine instead of bleach. This irrigant decreases bacterial loads and removes bacteria biofilms more effectively than sodium hypochlorite, making it significantly safer.

Technology

Irrigants are medicated fluid solutions that work alongside dental instruments to clean and prepare teeth for endodontic procedures. Common disinfection protocols in endodontics use bleach as an irrigant due to its antibacterial efficacy and low cost. However, bleach can cause significant pain and nerve damage in some patients. This root canal irrigant solution containing cysteamine is more effective than bleach at removing endodontic biofilms and at decreasing the number of viable bacteria. Additionally, it contains antiviral and antifungal properties and it will decrease dentin erosion and tissue damage, making it a competitive alternative to the widely-used bleach irrigants on the market.