Temporary root canal sealers are known. Conventional temporary root canal sealers comprise a strongly alkaline aqueous mixture of calcium hydroxide and a radio-opaque filler such as barium sulfate.
Temporary root canal sealers are intended to be a short-term means of cleaning and disinfecting the root canal cavity formed upon extraction of the dental pulp and/or root canal tissue, thereby preventing staining of the tooth upon effecting permanent sealing.
Temporary root canal sealers containing radio-opaque materials may be employed for obtaining information about the internal environment of pulp chamber and/or associated root canals of any given tooth.
Conventional temporary root canal sealers exhibit relatively poor radio-opacities. Moreover, conventional temporary root canal sealers are poor in storage stability since the aqueous mixture of calcium hydroxide and a radio-opaque filler become heterogenous non-uniform mixtures over time.
DE 19961002 C2 discloses a temporary root canal filling material which incorporates an X-ray contrast material, together with calcium hydroxide, an exsiccant and an organic solvent, which is an absorptive, antibacterial filler of a dry consistency, which neither hardens nor encroaches into the apical region of the root canal cavity.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,766 relates to a non-aqueous dental composition comprising calcium hydroxide, gutta-percha, a radio-opaque substance and a substance which adds rigidity to the composition, which is used to make thermoplastic root canal points for obturation. Summary of the Invention
It is the problem of the present invention to provide a temporary root canal sealer dispersion which has improved radio-opacity, resistance against bacterial growth and consistency.
It is a further problem of the present invention to provide a temporary root canal sealer dispersion which is stable in both the oral environment and during storage.
It is a yet further problem of the present invention to provide a temporary root canal sealer dispersion which is non-toxic, anti-inflammatory and acts as a sterilant.