Efficacy of chlorhexidine in endodontic infections: systematic review

Abstract

This systematic review evaluated the efficacy of chlorhexidine in endodontic infections detected in culture or polymerase chain reaction. The search strategies included electronic searches (Medline, Embase, Central) and had searches using various keywords concerning chlorhexidine and (endodontic* OR endodontic* infection* OR root canal infection*). The search returned 196 articles, 48 of which studies in vivo, 7 of which satisfied the inclusion criteria. The combination of results by meta-analysis was impossible because the studies were heterogeneous. The chlorhexidine used as irrigant in the prepared infected root canals decreased the residual endodontic microbiota.