title: Root Canal Irrigation: Chemical Agents and Plant Extracts AgainstEnterococcus faecalis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are various microorganisms related to intra and extra-radicular infections and many of these are involved in persistent infections. Bacterial elimination from the root canal is achieved by means of the mechanical action of instruments and irrigation as well as the antibacterial effects of the irrigating solutions.Enterococcus faecaliscan frequently be isolated from root canals in cases of failed root canal treatments. Antimicrobial agents have often been developed and optimized for their activity against endodontic bacteria. An ideal root canal irrigant should be biocompatible, because of its close contact with the periodontal tissues during endodontic treatment. Sodium hypoclorite (NaOCl) is one of the most widely recommended and used endodontic irrigants but it is highly toxic to periapical tissues.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the literature on the chemotherapeutic agent and plant extracts studied as root canal irrigants. In particularly, the study is focused on their effect onEnterococcus faecalis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature search was performed electronically in PubMed (PubMed Central, MEDLINE) for articles published in English from 1982 to April 2015. The searched keywords were "endodontic irrigants" and "Enterococcus faecalis" and "essential oil" and "plant extracts".
  
  
  RESULTS
  Many of the studied chemotherapeutic agents and plant extracts have shown promising resultsin vitro.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Some of the considered phytotherapic substances, could be a potential alternative to NaOCl for the biomechanical treatment of the endodontic space.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Borzini
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Condò
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Dominicis
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Adriano
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Casaglia
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cerroni
keywords: Enterococcus faecalis; Essential oil; Phytotherapic substances; Plant extracts; Root canal irrigation