Effectiveness of Boswellia as Intracanal Medication on Infectious/Inflammatory Contents in Teeth With Apical Periodontitis

Apical periodontitis is an inflammatory disorder of the periradicular tissue caused by bacterial infection of endodontic origin, which is characterized by periapical bone resorption. Primary endodontic disease has a polymicrobial etiology, with predominance of Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria. This species presents lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), one of the most important inflammatory molecules present in the outer layer of its membrane, which can be released during multiplication or bacterial death, thus continuously stimulating the surrounding tissues even at low levels.

Endotoxins have been detected in 100% of the primarily infected root canals, with high levels being related to more severe inflammatory response in periapical tissues. When bacteria and their toxins (e.g., LPS) present in the root canal infection egress into the periapical tissues via apical foramen, they activate immune response locally, culminating in a very complex inflammatory disorder involving a variety of inflammatory cells as well as different proinflammatory cytokines. IL-1β, TNF-α, and PGE2 have been detected in periapical tissues, being considered important inflammatory biomarkers in the apical disease. Since bacteria and their by-products are one of the main causes of apical periodontitis, special emphasis is given to the search for an optimal root canal disinfection protocol.

Although instrumentation may be assumed to be of greater importance in the clinical practice, the use of intracanal medication has been proven to optimize the root canal disinfection. For this reason, a wide variety of intracanal medications have been proposed. Calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] is the most commonly used intracanal medication. Lately, chlorhexidine (CHX) has emerged as a potential intracanal medication and suggested to be used alone or combined with Ca(OH)2 in a paste. Although studies have investigated the antibacterial property of Ca(OH)2, including CHX associations, the effects on immune periapical response is incipient.

Another effective intracanal medication is Ledermix which contains 1% triamcinolone (TAA) and 3% demeclocycline (DOC). This formulation was first recommended for use in endodontics. The use of Ledermix appear to be more likely related to the anti-inflammatory effects of corticosteroid rather than its antibacterial effect .The antibiotic component does not appear to be ideal, and the use of other antibiotics may help to improve the antimicrobial effects of Ledermix.

Because root canal medicaments can come in contact with periapical tissue, in addition to having good antibacterial ability, they must also be biocompatible. In selecting root canal medicaments, it is necessary to consider their therapeutic benefits against their potential cytotoxic effects. Ideal root canal medicaments should have strong antibacterial properties and minimal cytotoxic effect on the host tissues. Herbs have been used in clinical medicine for thousands of years. However, it is only in recent times that researchers have been able to employ scientific methods to prove the efficacy of many of these herbs and to provide a better understanding of their mechanisms of action (Graf 2000).