The cytotoxic effect of different intracanal medicaments

Abstract

Background: Different intracanal medicaments are being used in endodontics but little attention is paid to their cytotoxicity. The aim of this research was to assess the cytotoxic effect of the traditionally used intracanal medicaments and compare them with 2% acetic acid.Materials and Methods: Different intracanal medicaments and 2% acetic acid were inoculated in the tibia bone of white albino rabbits for 3, 7, 14 and 28 days. After the incubation time, the animals were sacrificed and the inoculated areas were assessed histopathologically.Results: Two percent acetic acid induced an inflammatory reaction comparable to that of normal saline, and calcium hydroxide that subsided after 14 days. The formaldehyde containing agents, and CMCP induced a more severe inflammatory reaction, with tricresol formalin showing a reaction even after 28 days.Conclusions: Two percent acetic acid was more biocompatible than the other tested root canal medicaments.