In vitro comparative analysis of three placement techniques of corticosteroid-antibiotic association within the radicular canal

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare three placement tech- niques of a coticosteroid-antibiotic association within the radicular canal, considering its penetration to the apical portion. Following access, 30 disto-buccal roots of hu- man’s upper molars were shaped using the crown-down technique followed by the conventional step- back technique. The irrigative solution was 1% sodium hypochlo- rite. The roots were randomly distributed into three groups. In group 1 the intracanal medica- tion was introduced with paper points; in group 2, endodontic files; in group 3, syringe and fine needle with the medication placed in empty anesthetic tubes. To all groups, india ink was previously mixed to the medication. The roots were sectioned to the long axis and analyzed through magnifying lenses. Kruskal-Wallis and Mul- tiple Comparison tests were used for statistical analysis. The results showed that endodontic files are not adequate to fill the apical por- tion with medication. There were no statistically significant differ- ences between syringe and paper points. The syringe showed to be a good clinical option to place this intracanal mixture. Key words: corticosteroid- antibiotic, endodontic therapy, intracanal medication.