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Root Canal Irrigants & Medicaments

Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics • NEET MDS Study Guide • AI-Generated Notes

⭐ High-Yield Facts for Exam

  • NaOCl = dissolves organic tissue (most used).
  • EDTA = removes inorganic smear layer.
  • CHX = substantivity, no tissue dissolution.
  • Don't mix NaOCl + CHX (precipitate).
  • Ca(OH)2 = most popular medicament.

Irrigants & Intracanal Medicaments

Irrigants

  • Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) — most commonly used; dissolves organic tissue and is antibacterial.
  • EDTA — chelator that removes the inorganic smear layer; used with NaOCl for a clean canal.
  • Chlorhexidine (CHX) — antibacterial with substantivity; no tissue-dissolving ability. Do not mix directly with NaOCl (forms a precipitate).

Intracanal Medicaments

Calcium hydroxide is the most popular interappointment medicament — high pH, antibacterial, promotes healing/apexification.

Exam Tips ⭐

NaOCl = organic dissolution; EDTA = smear layer (inorganic); CHX = substantivity; Ca(OH)2 = popular medicament.

📝 Practice MCQs — Root Canal Irrigants & Medicaments

Q1. The most commonly used root canal irrigant is:
A. EDTA
B. Sodium hypochlorite
C. Saline
D. Chlorhexidine
Show Answer
✅ Answer: B
NaOCl is most used; it dissolves organic tissue and is antibacterial.
Q2. Which agent removes the inorganic smear layer?
A. NaOCl
B. EDTA
C. CHX
D. Ca(OH)2
Show Answer
✅ Answer: B
EDTA chelates and removes the inorganic smear layer.
Q3. The most popular intracanal medicament is:
A. Formocresol
B. Calcium hydroxide
C. CMCP
D. Iodine
Show Answer
✅ Answer: B
Calcium hydroxide is the standard interappointment medicament.
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