Did you know that calcium hydroxide is a popular temporary medication used to disinfect root canals, and has been shown to be effective in a wide variety of situations?

The antibacterial effect is partly due to the fact that it produces a pH over 11, preventing the growth and survival of oral bacteria. The main advantage of calcium hydroxide is that it has an effect on microorganisms in the absence of direct contact, not only by creating a high pH environment but also by absorbing CO2 required for bacterial growth.

The best technique for using calcium hydroxide is to place and condense the paste into the canals. Historically, this has been done with the same instrumentation files or engine driven paste carriers, and can be difficult to execute―especially when working with very narrow or curved canals.

Treatment with 2 applications of UltraCal XS, concluded in the course of three months.

Treatment with 2 applications of UltraCal XS, concluded
in the course of three months
 

UltraCal XS

from Ultradent Products Inc. is an aqueous, radiopaque formulation of non-setting calcium hydroxide paste with a pH of 12.5. This premixed paste is delivered or “injected” from a syringe through a 29ga NaviTip delivery tip directly into the canal. As well as producing a more reliable result, especially in posterior teeth, the placing of calcium hydroxide with a 29ga NaviTip eliminates possibility of separating a spiral instrument during the procedure. When there is instrument separation in the canal it is troublesome for the treating dentist and may possibly require the involvement of a specialist. UltraCal XS allows the operator to deliver the correct amount of calcium hydroxide to the working length, preventing any material to be inadvertently extruded past the foramen into the periradicular tissues, especially if a chronic or large lesion is present.

Citric-Acid_UltracalXS

UltraCal™ XS Paste and Ultradent™ Citric Acid 20% Solution

 

When it comes time to remove UltraCal XS paste from the canal, look no further than Ultradent Citric Acid Solution, delivered with the NaviTip™ FX™ tip. Citric Acid solution dissolves calcium hydroxide, and the small fibers attached to the NaviTip™ FX™ tip easily scrub the walls of the canal, removing any remaining calcium hydroxide as well as the smear layer.