Foreign body reaction after zinc oxide eugenol packing in localized osteitis

For many years, it has been believed that zinc oxide and eugenol are innocuous. It is now apparent that this impression is inaccurate. Although it generally causes little or no reaction, there may be serious effects when there is significant contamination or when the patient is sensitive to the material. For this reason zinc oxide and eugenol should only be left in bone cavities for short periods.