Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42420971›Full record

SynthesisBMC oral health2026

Bactericidal effects of various root canal disinfectants and techniques on Enterococcus faecalis biofilms in extracted single-rooted human teeth: a systematic review.

Yao Wang, Lanlan Ye, Xi Chen, He Meng, Irene Shuping Zhao

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC oral health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Yao WangSchool of Dentistry, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518015, China.
Lanlan YeSchool of Dentistry, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518015, China.
Xi ChenSchool of Dentistry, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518015, China.
He MengSchool of Dentistry, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518015, China. menghe10.2@163.com.
Irene Shuping ZhaoSchool of Dentistry, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518015, China. zhao110@szu.edu.cn.

Funding

the Science Technology and Innovation Committee of Shenzhen Municipality 20231120111407001
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo assess disinfectants and adjunctive techniques against Enterococcus faecalis biofilms in extracted single-rooted human teeth.

methodsA PRISMA-guided review of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Web of Science was conducted to identify in vitro studies utilizing extracted single-rooted teeth. Study quality was evaluated using a 13-item checklist adapted from JBI/CRIS guidance. Evidence was synthesized qualitatively and graded based on methodological limitations, relevance, consistency, and data adequacy.

resultsNinety-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Mechanical preparation effectively reduced bacterial load but did not completely eradicate biofilms. Conventional irrigants produced variable results; however, combined protocols and activation methods often yielded the best disinfection outcomes. Physical activation enhanced irrigant penetration and antimicrobial effects. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) proved beneficial as an adjunct in certain protocols but was sensitive to specific parameters. Calcium hydroxide demonstrated limited efficacy, while triple antibiotic paste approached sterilization but raised concerns about resistance. Nanoparticle and natural irrigants showed potential but were generally less effective than sodium hypochlorite and require further validation. Only 28% of the studies were assessed as low risk of bias, with common shortcomings including inadequate blinding, inconsistent use of neutralizers, and heterogeneous outcome reporting.

conclusionsNo single method reliably eradicates Enterococcus faecalis biofilms; however, combined mechanochemical approaches with activation or aPDT appear most promising. Standardized, clinically relevant studies are necessary for further advancement.

Indexed as

Anti-Bacterial AgentsBiofilmsDental Pulp CavityEnterococcus faecalisRoot Canal IrrigantsHumansPhotochemotherapyAnti-Bacterial AgentsRoot Canal IrrigantsBiofilmEnterococcus faecalisIntracanal medicamentIrrigantsPhotodynamic therapyRoot canal disinfectionSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID42420971
PMCPMC13682158

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.