J. Sowjanyaa, C. S. Chandana

Abstract

The goal of endodontic treatment is to remove the diseased pulp tissue and to provide an environment that is conducive to allow the healing of periapical tissues and maintain the roots of the tooth in a healthy periodontium. Various disadvantages have been associated with chemical medicaments such as antibiotic overuse and misuse, side effects, and cytotoxic reaction. To overcome these side effects, herbal and natural products have become popular. The aim of this review is to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of two natural intracanal medicaments, namely, propolis and Aloe vera, in comparison with calcium hydroxide in a root canal system. A web-based research on MEDLINE was done using keywords, published dental journals. Keywords used for a research were antimicrobial efficacy, propolis, A. vera, calcium hydroxide, and intracanal medicament. This review article screened about 23 articles, and then, the relevant information was compiled. Based on the evidence available, it can be concluded that propolis and A. vera can be used as effective alternate intracanal medicament in comparison with calcium hydroxide in a root canal system. Although in vitro studies show the significant antimicrobial efficacy of these natural medicaments in comparison with calcium hydroxide, clinical trials have to be conducted to extrapolate these results in a clinical scenario.