Antiseptic paste is used to what in canal therapy?

• A. Gaining access
• B. Dress root canal before filling
• C. Lubricate canal
• D. Soak paper points

Answer: (B)

In canal therapy, the goal after cleaning and shaping is to keep the canal disinfected between visits and reduce the bacterial load before final obturation. An antiseptic paste acts as an intracanal medicament that is placed inside the canal to dress it, protecting the space from reinfection and promoting healing until the tooth is finally filled with gutta-percha and sealer. It isn’t used to gain access to the tooth, nor is it primarily a lubricant for instrumentation, and while paper points are used in drying or medicating the canal, the main purpose of the paste is to dress the canal before filling.