Effect of triple antibiotic paste and calcium hydroxide on the rate of healing of periapical lesions: A systematic review

AIM: The rate of healing of periapical lesion after the antibacterial dressing with triple antibiotic paste and calcium hydroxide was assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Case reports which used triple antibiotic paste and calcium hydroxide as the intracanal dressing was searched in PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane Oral Health's Trials Register up to August 2020, without language and period restriction. Two authors independently reviewed all identified titles and abstracts for eligibility. Tables were generated to summarize the included studies. RESULTS: Sixteen (n = 16) articles met the eligibility criteria. Nonsurgical endodontic treatment was carried out in eleven cases with triple antibiotic paste and in nineteen cases calcium hydroxide was used. Results of the study after analyzing the case reports indicate that both triple antibiotic paste and calcium hydroxide are equally effective as intracanal medicament. In cases where calcium hydroxide failed to eliminate symptoms, triple antibiotic paste was found to be effective. CONCLUSION: As far as the effect on the healing of the periapical lesions is concerned, all the studies showed a high success rate. Available scientific data indicates nonsurgical treatment can be adopted as a routine measure to conservatively treat large periapical lesions of endodontic origin.