THE EFFECT OF CHLORPHENOL ON APICAL PERIODONTITIS

The aim of this study was to assess histologically the effects of chlorphenol and calcium hydroxide on apical periodontitis in rats. An experimentally induced apical periodontitis was established on the mesial roots of mandibular molars of Wistar rats by leaving the root canals exposed to the oral cavity. After root canal instrumentation each canal was filled either with chlorphenol or an aqueous suspension of calcium hydroxide twice for 3 days. After 6 days all rats were killed and the histological sections were stained for microscopic analysis of the periapical tissues compared to the untreated controls with the experimentally induced apical periodontitis. The intracanal medicament chlo-rophenol caused severe periapical tissue damage, even worse compared with the untreated controls. After intracanal medication with an aqueous suspension of calcium hydroxide periapical repair was clearly visible. Based on the results of this investigation, the use of chlorphenol cannot be recommended as an intracanal dressing.

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