Recontamination of coronally unsealed root canals medicated with camphorated paramonochlorophenol or calcium hydroxide pastes after saliva challenge.

This in vitro study evaluated the ability of some medications to prevent recontamination of coronally unsealed root canals by bacteria from saliva. The medications tested were camphorated paramonochlorophenol (CPMC) applied in cotton pellets in the pulp chamber; calcium hydroxide/saline solution paste filling the root canal; and calcium hydroxide/CPMC/glycerin paste also filling the root canal. Medicated canals were exposed to saliva, and the number of days required for total recontamination to occur was recorded. Canals medicated with CPMC in cotton pellets were thoroughly recontaminated within an average of 6.9 days. Canals filled with calcium hydroxide/saline solution and calcium hydroxide/CPMC/glycerin showed entire recontamination within an average of 14.7 and 16.5 days, respectively. Calcium hydroxide pastes were significantly more effective than CPMC (p < 0.05).