Antibacterial Activity of Calcium Hydroxide and Betamethasone in Apical Periodontitis
Starting soon
Conditions studied: Apical Periodontitis
In brief
Apical periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by bacterial infection of the root canal system. Although mechanical cleaning and shaping reduce most microorganisms, bacteria may persist in areas that are difficult to reach, making the use of intracanal medicaments between treatment sessions clinically important. Calcium hydroxide is one of the most commonly used intracanal medicaments because of its antibacterial properties. However, some resistant microorganisms, such as Enterococcus faecalis, may survive when calcium hydroxide is used alone. Therefore, combining calcium hydroxide with other agents, such as iodoform or corticosteroids, may improve its antibacterial effectiveness. The purpose of this study is to compare the antibacterial activity of calcium hydroxide used alone or in combination with iodoform (Metapex) or betamethasone in patients with apical periodontitis. Bacterial load in root canals will be evaluated using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), a highly sensitive molecular method that allows absolute quantification of bacteria. The results of this study are expected to provide evidence to support optimal intracanal medicament selection in endodontic retreatment cases.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT07351682
- Run by
- Duygu Degirmencioglu
- People needed
- 45
- Starts
- 2026-03-01
- Expected to finish
- 2027-03-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-01-20
Who can join
Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may qualify if…
- - Adults aged 18 to 65 years.
- Patients diagnosed with apical periodontitis requiring endodontic retreatment.
- Presence of a single tooth with radiographic evidence of apical periodontitis.
- Ability to provide written informed consent.
You may not qualify if…
- Use of systemic antibiotics within the previous 3 months.
- Presence of systemic diseases that may affect healing or immune response.
- Pregnancy or lactation.
- Known allergy or hypersensitivity to any of the intracanal medicaments used.
- Teeth with acute abscess, severe periodontal disease, or root fractures.
Where it is running
- Istanbul Medipol University Faculty of Dentistry — Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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