title: Microbial control: the first stage of root canal treatment.
abstract: The critical step for successful treatment of an infected root canal system is to treat the root canal in such a way as to remove as many microbes as possible (in the case of a necrotic tooth) or to maintain the sterility of the canal (in the case of a vital tooth); this is called the microbial control phase of root canal treatment. This article describes the steps required for adequate microbial control. The rationale for minimal apical file sizes and irrigation and antimicrobial medicaments required are described in detail.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trope
authors.forename: Gilberto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Debelian
mesh_terms: D001207:Asepsis / Q000379:methods; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide; D002710:Chlorhexidine; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000382:microbiology*; D003790:Dental Pulp Necrosis / Q000382:microbiology; D004492:Edetic Acid; D006801:Humans; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000382:microbiology; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; D013010:Sonication; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods; D019553:Tooth, Nonvital / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D004492:Edetic Acid; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide; D002710:Chlorhexidine