Comparison of antibacterial effect and smear layer removal of herbal versus traditional irrigants – An in vitro study

Endodontic infections are polymicrobial in nature dominated by obligate anaerobic bacteria. The microbial invasion prompts the host to respond with a combination of nonspecific inflammatory processes and specific immunologic response Eradication of root canal infection using chemo-mechanical pre- paration is of prime importance to remove vital or necrotic tissues from root canal system. Among the phases of endodontic treatment, the choice of instrumentation and irrigating solution that permit bacterial neutralization and toxin inactivation without negative interference with the healing process is fundamental to the success of treatment [2]. Numerous solutions have been used in endodontics to achieve the de- sired chemical effect since sodium hypochlorite was introduced by Walker in 1936.Future Dental Journa

Self-assembling chitosan hydrogel: A drug-delivery device enabling the sustained release of proteins

The development of a self-assembling hydrogel, prepared from maleimide-modified and thiolated chitosan (CS), is described. Under mild reaction conditions, the natural CS polymer was coupled with either maleimide or sulfhydryl moieties in a one-step synthesis. Subsequently, these CS polymers spontaneously formed a covalently crosslinked CS hydrogel when mixed. The three-dimensional network structure was visualized with scanning electron microscopy. The swelling and degradation behavior was evaluated, and viscosity measurements were conducted. The gel was loaded with the model protein albumin, and prolonged release was achieved. These properties were preserved after lyophilization and rehydration. This makes the hydrogel a promising scaffold for biological wound dressings for the treatment of chronic wounds