One of the important objectives in endodontic therapy is the removal of pulpal and dentinal debris from the root canal system. In order to accomplish this objective, it is essential to use an irrigant or combination of irrigants during biomechanical preparation of the canal system. The purpose of this article is to review the most common irrigants, combination usage, the issue of smear layer and irrigation methods for optimum irrigation.
Early coronal flaring is needed to receive more irrigants in the canal. And also it is critical to use small irrigation needle enough to place the irrigant at apical area. Depends on the clinical situations and operator's judgement, clinicians decide the concentration of NaOCI for the canal irrigation during instrumentation. For the prevention of needle jam, it is also important to use adequate volume of irrigants with up and down motion of irrigation needle and minimum pressure. For the removal of smear layer which is organic and inorganic debris in the canal, it would be the best way to soak the canal with EDTA more than 5 minutes and flush with 10 ml of NaOCI before obturation.