Essential oils as adjuvants in endodontic therapy: myth or reality?

Abstract

To enhance endodontics, the search for new antibacterials that can improve infected tooth root canal treatment is ongoing. As potent antibacterial and antibiofilm agents, essential oils (EOs) have been suggested as novel endodontic materials. Several studies indicate that EO-based irrigants and medicaments show promising reductive potential against the most important intracanal pathogen, Enterococcus faecalis, and notably contribute to intracanal biofilm eradication. In terms of additional benefits that EO-based endodontic materials can provide, their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential are also important, but they have only scarcely been explored in research. Investigations into the benefits of EO-based endodontic materials together with their biocompatibility are needed. The results presented in this review strongly encourage further research on this topic.

Keywords: Enterococcus faecalis; anti-inflammatory; antibacterial; antibiofilm; antioxidant; essential oil; irrigant; medicament; root canal; tooth.