Ex vivo investigation of the temperature of root canal irrigants
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An ex vivo evaluation of the temperature attained and the rate of temperature change when sodium hypochlorite root canal irrigant at different temperatures is introduced into human tooth root canals
IRAS ID
101580
Contact name
Andrew Sinclair
Contact email
Research summary
The use of disinfectant solutions is an essential component of endodontic treatment (root canal treatment)as the mechanical preparation of infected root canals does not sufficiently reduce the level of bacteria within those root canals.
It has been established in laboratory experiments that increasing the temperature of these root canal disinfectants makes them more effective at killing bacteria so some authorities recommend heating up the disinfectants before applying the disinfectant to the root canal using a syringe.
What temperature these heated disinfectants are at by the time they reach the depths of the root canal has not been investigated. Nor has the rate of cooling of these solutions been measured.
The purpose of the proposed study is to inject disinfectant into the root canals of extracted teeth and measure the temperature of the solution and how quickly it cools.
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EM/0112
Date of REC Opinion
26 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion