ChlorCid® and ChlorCid® V

There remains a growing belief among clinicians that obturation is to blame for endodontic failures. This notion has more recently fallen under scrutiny as researchers have discovered that the most thorough obturation can only reflect the quality of the cleaning and shaping of the canal. In fact, a number of researchers point to the thorough use of irrigants — making sure that the debris and irrigant itself are lifted completely out of the canal, not forced out the apex — as the most important determinant in the long-term success of an endodontic procedure.

The right irrigants, when used properly, eliminate harmful microorganisms and bacteria in the root and tubules, and prevent recontamination, even long after the RCT is complete. The recently acknowledged vital role of irrigants stands to reason, as RCT itself was born out of the necessity to treat the infected, and very often painful, dentinal tubules and roots that traditional restorative dentistry couldn’t address. One of these vital irrigants includes ChlorCid^®, a 3% sodium hypochlorite solution, and its more viscous formula, ChlorCid^® V.  

ChlorCid and ChlorCid V

3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl)

Dating back to World War I, NaOCl solutions have been used in health care because of the antibacterial effects they provide. Studies have shown that irrigants containing antibacterial properties exhibit superior ability to reduce and eliminate bacteria when compared to a commonly used generic saline solution. NaOCl is both relatively inexpensive, and when used as an endodontic irrigant, exhibits antiseptic and lubricating properties. When in the canal, ChlorCid dissolves soft tissue/organic matter and acts as a file lubricant. When the solution comes into contact with the before-mentioned organic tissue, ChlorCid also releases chlorine, whose strong antimicrobial properties kill bacteria and prevent bacterial rebound by oxidizing the enzymes essential to its regrowth.

One of the concerns with NaOCl is the possibility of extrusion of the solution to periapical tissues past the apex. Depending on the level of patient sensitivity, this can produce everything from mild discomfort to large amounts of swelling and bruising. However, irrigating the canal with NaOCl with Ultradent’s NaviTip^® greatly reduces this risk. This tip is unsurpassed in its small diameter and technologically advanced preparation of the different areas of the cannula, as well as its rounded tip, designed to eliminate as much ledging as possible. For endodontic cases requiring enhanced flow control and/or enhanced lubrication, ChlorCid V provides the same antibacterial properties as ChlorCid, in a slightly more viscous formula. 

A NaviTip 31ga tip with Double Sideport Irrigator is recommended for use with the ChlorCid IndiSpense syringe, while the NaviTip 29ga tip is recommended for the ChlorCid V IndiSpense syringe, although several other tip options are compatible. 

To learn more about ChlorCid, ChlorCid V, and the other Ultradent products mentioned, please visit ultradent.com, or call 800-552-5512. 

This information was provided by Ultradent.