263 © 2017 Journal of Advanced Pharmacy Education & Research | Published by SPER Publications Introduction Effective disinfection and complete debridement of the root canal space are an important prerequisite for achieving long-term success of non-surgical endodontics, [1] as the treatment outcome for teeth with apical periodontitis depends on the effective disinfection of the root canal. [2,3] Chemomechanical cleaning and shaping of the root canal are of help to reduce the number of microorganisms but not completely eliminate them. [4] Effective antimicrobial treatment protocol should be used to reduce the effect of bacterial endotoxins to a minimum allowing the defense system of the host to take over and provide a favorable environment for healing. [5,6] Applying an interappointment antimicrobial dressing in infected root canals is recommended, as instrumentation and irrigation do not reliably eradicate all of the bacteria. [7] Chemical medicaments are associated with several disadvantages such as antibiotic misuse ABSTRACT The goal of endodontic treatment is to remove the diseased pulp tissue and to provide an environment that is conducive to allow the healing of periapical tissues and maintain the roots of the tooth in a healthy periodontium. Various disadvantages have been associated with chemical medicaments such as antibiotic overuse and misuse, side effects, and cytotoxic reaction. To overcome these side effects, herbal and natural products have become popular. The aim of this review is to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of two natural intracanal medicaments, namely, propolis and Aloe vera, in comparison with calcium hydroxide in a root canal system. A web-based research on MEDLINE was done using keywords, published dental journals. Keywords used for a research were antimicrobial efficacy, propolis, A. vera, calcium hydroxide, and intracanal medicament. This review article screened about 23 articles, and then, the relevant information was compiled. Based on the evidence available, it can be concluded that propolis and A. vera can be used as effective alternate intracanal medicament in comparison with calcium hydroxide in a root canal system. Although in vitro studies show the significant antimicrobial efficacy of these natural medicaments in comparison with calcium hydroxide, clinical trials have to be conducted to extrapolate these results in a clinical scenario. Keywords: Antimicrobial efficacy, propolis, Aloe vera, calcium hydroxide, intracanal medicament Antimicrobial effcacy of calcium hydroxide, propolis, and Aloe vera as intracanal medicament - A review J. Sowjanyaa, C. S. Chandana Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India Correspondence: Dr. C. S. Chandana, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha University, No. 162, Poonamallee High Road, Chennai - 600 077, Tamil Nadu, India. Phone: +91-9600040740. E-mail: drchandanasubbarao@gmail.com and overuse, cytotoxic reaction, and side effects. Owing to these side effects, natural and herbal products have become popular. [8] The purpose of this review is to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of two natural intracanal medicaments, namely, propolis and Aloe vera, in comparison with calcium hydroxide in a root canal system. Materials and Methods A web-based research on MEDLINE (www.pubmed.gov) was done. To limit our research to relevant articles, the search was filtered using keywords, published in the past 10 years and dental journals. Keywords used for research were antimicrobial efficacy, calcium hydroxide, propolis, A. vera, and intracanal medicament. Relevant articles were chosen to get the desired knowledge update.This review article screened about 23 articles comparing the antimicrobial efficacy of calcium hydroxide, propolis, and A. vera, and then, the relevant information was compiled. Background on Enterococcus faecalis E. faecalis is a Gram-positive bacterium, which is a facultative anaerobic bacterium, recovered from previously root-filled teeth with persistent periapical lesions. [9,10] The characteristics of this bacterium that makes it a persisting endodontic pathogen are its ability to invade dentinal tubules, withstand the ecologically demanding conditions of the root canal, and adapt to lethal challenges. [11] Numerous studies have Access this article online Website: www.japer.in E-ISSN: 2249-3379 How to cite this article: Sowjanyaa J, Chandana CS. Antimicrobial efficacy of calcium hydroxide, propolis and Aloe vera as intracanal medicament - A review. J Adv Pharm Edu Res 2017;7(3):263-266. Source of Support: Nil, Conflict of Interest: None declared. Original Article