Potential Effect of Propolis as as Intracanal Medicament on Root Canal Disinfection and Dentin Microhardness : (An In Vitro Study) /

Abstract

The main goal of endodontic treatment is to eliminate the bacteria inside the root canal and to preserve root dentin. Bacterial elimination is done using mechanical preparation of the canal using endodontic instruments, however mechanical preparation alone is not effective in eliminating the bacteria inside the canal. Hence the use of chemical materials to eliminate bacteria is essential in endodontic treatment. Chemical treatment includes the use of irrigating solutions and intracanal medicaments. The combination of chemo-mechanical preparation ensures the eradication of bacteria inside root canal and ensures the success of the endodontic treatment.

For many years the use of intracanal medicaments has been advocated to enhance the success rates of root canal treatment. Phenolic compounds are used for their potent antibacterial activity; however they are found to be very toxic and irritant to soft tissues. Calcium hydroxide has been used for its antibacterial activity, but they are found not to be effective against all types of bacteria and they are found to cause alteration in root canal dentin. So the search for other materials is done to improve the effect of intracanal medicaments against bacteria and to avoid their harmful effect on root canal dentin.

Ancient Egyptians and Greeks used natural materials in medicine. Among these natural materials used nowadays showing great expectations is propolis. Propolis is a honeybee product that is extracted in order to protect beehives. Propolis is used in dentistry because of its biological properties. These properties are attributed to components of propolis, which are 30% wax, 50% resin and vegetable balsam, 10% essential and aromatic oils, and 5% pollen and other substances. The main component of propolis is phenolic compounds, which contain flavonoids; these Introduction 2 compounds give propolis its biological properties. Flavonoids give propolis its main antibacterial action. Among other properties of propolis are antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. Propolis is found to be very useful in dentistry as an antibacterial agent in intracanal medications and irrigation solutions, also as a pulp capping agent, and in treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity. Propolis is mainly effective against gram-positive bacteria. So, its use in endodontic treatment is of great importance especially against Enterococcus faecalis. However, the effect of propolis as an intracanal medicament on the mechanical properties of root canal dentin has not been addressed in the literature.