Hydrogel - What About as an Endodontic Intracanal Medicament?

22nd European Society of Endodontology (ESE), France, 3 - 06 September 2025, (Summary Text)

Summary Intracanal medication is crucial for advanced microbial control. However, the intracanal

medicament must penetrate the dentine tissue properly and be able to be removed without leaving a residue

in order not to jeopardize the sealing of the canal filling. In our study, hydrogels were synthesized, and three

boron derivatives (boric acid [BA], sodium pentaborate [SPB], and disodium octaborate tetrahydrate [DOBT])

were laden. Their penetration into the dentine tissue when applied to the root canal was evaluated using a

confocal microscope. Besides, after the removal of hydrogels, the penetration of the bioceramic sealer was

also examined. Their effects were compared to calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2). A total of 150 mandibular

single-rooted teeth were used (n=15). The groups of our study were Group 1 (BA-hydrogel), Group 2

(SPB-hydrogel), Group 3 (DOBT-hydrogel), Group 4 (BA-SPB-DOBT-hydrogel), Group 5 (calcium

hydroxide). The penetration parameters were evaluated in the apical, middle, and coronal thirds. In the

results, hydrogel had a deeper and wider penetration pattern even in apical thirds compared to Ca(OH)2

(p<0.05). The penetration of medicaments in root thirds was different (p<0.05). The removability of hydrogel

was higher than Ca(OH)2 (p<0.05).

Key Learning points

" Hydrogels are a potential base material as intracanal medicament;

" Hydrogels penetrated even the apical third, characterized by narrow dentine tubules, which is

important for improving microbial control in the treatment of endodontic pathologies;

" Hydrogels were better removed in the apical third than Ca(OH)2;

" Complete removal of intracanal medicament from the apical third without leaving residue is still

noteworthy and needs to be addressed.