Is Sodium Hypochlorite still the best irrigant for endodontics? Or do we have something novel and superior?

How can we improve the efficacy of our endodontic irrigation?

What % of NaOCl should we be using?

https://youtu.be/z5h2FzHpG68

Watch PDP203 on Youtube

Dr. Brett Gilbert rejoins Jaz Gulati to tackle all things endodontic irrigation after a brilliant episode on pre-emptive endodontics.

Advanced activation and delivery systems could change the game—are we on the brink of a major shift in endodontics?

Protrusive Dental Pearl: Before performing a molar extraction, challenge yourself to first complete an endodontic access on the tooth. This will enhance your understanding of the canal anatomy and improve your precision in sectioning the tooth. By visualizing the canals and the pulpal floor, you'll refine your angulation for more accurate sectioning.

Need to Read it? Check out the Full Episode Transcript below!

Highlights of this Episode:

02:09 Protrusive Dental Pearl

04:23 Is Sodium Hypochlorite Still The Gold Standard?

06:54 The Role of Surfactants in Irrigation

07:58 Concentration of Sodium Hypochlorite

09:47 Chlorhexidine: Is There Still a Place?

11:32 Advanced Disinfection Technologies

21:31 Evidence-Based Techniques in Endodontics

25:22 GP Pumping

This episode is eligible for 0.5 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. 

This episode meets GDC Outcomes B and C.

AGD Subject code: 070 Endodontics (Endodontic infections, microbiology and treatment)

Dentists will be able to: 

1. Gain insight into the role of sodium hypochlorite in endodontic disinfection and assess its effectiveness compared to new innovations.2. Discover the cutting-edge irrigation methods, including surfactants, ultrasonic activation, and laser-assisted irrigation, and their impact on endodontic outcomes.3. Explore emerging technologies and innovations that could revolutionize endodontic irrigation.

If you liked this episode, be sure to watch the 1st Part - ‘PDP202 - Elective Endodontics? It's all about Communication’

Click below for full episode transcript:

Teaser: When you use a lower percentage, you really aren't reducing or eliminating the risk of sodium hypochlorite accident. If you get 3% sodium hypochlorite out the end of the root, it's going to cause a sodium hypochlorite accident, as will 6%. If you're trying to eliminate risk using a lower concentration, I don't think it's as effective as you think, but you are taking away some of the strength that you're looking for to kill the bacteria and dissolve the tissue. So my advice would be go full.

Teaser:We recognize that training our general dental colleagues on endo is paramount because we don't want the option of implant to come in place of saving the natural tooth simply because of fear or the fact that they just don't feel well enough trained to do the endo. So I believe as a dental community, the more we feel comfortable and proficient in endo, the more teeth we save and the better our patients are.

Jaz's Introduction:Is sodium hypochlorite still the best thing in irrigation? If it is, what percentage should we be using? This one might actually surprise you. Is there ever a time when to use chlorhexidine. Whatever irrigant we're using, how can we improve its effectiveness?

Hello, I'm Jaz Gulati and welcome to the part two with Dr. Brett Gilbert. How awesome was he? Please do check it out if you haven't already. We talked about elective endodontics or preemptive endodontics. I love the clarity and the passion in which he speaks with. And he definitely continues it on into this episode. He's so knowledgeable, he's so passionate about endodontics in general, but especially the innovation in irrigation.

Because after all, endodontic success is all about killing those bugs. And Brett has so much experience in trying all the different things out there. And towards the second half of this episode,