1*Professor, Swargiya Dadasaheb Kalmegh Smruti Dental College and Hospital, Nagpur. Email: gade.vandana@gmail.com. Contact Number: 9370327036
2Department of Dentistry, Government Medical College, Gondia.
3Associate Professor, Department of Dentistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur.
4Senior Lecturer, Rajesh Ramdasji Kambe Dental College & Hospital, Akola.
5Reader, VYWS Dental College and Hospital, Amravati.
6Post graduate student, Swargiya Dadasaheb Kalmegh Smruti Dental College and Hospital, Nagpur.
Background: Endodontic infections are biofilm-mediated and persist due to the complex anatomy of the root canal system, limiting the effectiveness of conventional intracanal medicaments.
Objective: This review aims to critically analyze current and emerging targeted intracanal drug delivery systems and their potential in improving endodontic disinfection.
Methodology: This review was conducted following a structured narrative approach. A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases for articles published between January 2010 and December 2025. Search keywords included: "intracanal drug delivery," "nanoparticles in endodontics," "controlled drug release," "biofilm targeting," and "regenerative endodontics." Inclusion criteria comprised in vitro studies, in vivo studies, and relevant review articles focusing on drug delivery systems in endodontics. Exclusion criteria included non-English articles, case reports, and studies not directly related to intracanal drug delivery. A total of approximately 120 articles were identified, of which 55 relevant studies were included based on relevance and scientific quality.
Results: Nanoparticle-based systems (silver, chitosan, and polymeric nanoparticles), liposomes, hydrogels, and bioactive materials demonstrate enhanced dentinal penetration, sustained drug release, and improved antimicrobial efficacy. However, most evidence remains limited to laboratory studies with minimal clinical validation.
Conclusion: Targeted intracanal drug delivery systems represent a promising paradigm shift in endodontics. Future research should focus on clinical trials, standardization, and translational applicability for routine clinical use.
Keywords: Intracanal drug delivery, Nanocarriers, Biofilm targeting, Controlled release, Regenerative endodontics, Smart drug delivery.
How to cite this article: Gade V, Meshram P, Bajaj N, Kusumbe R, Rahul N, Nikam T. Targeted Intracanal Drug Delivery Systems in Endodontics: Current Advances, Challenges, and Future Perspectives. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(15s): 926-930. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.15s.103
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None