In vitro evaluation of the effectiveness of irrigants and intracanal medicaments on microorganisms within root canals

• Published in: International endodontic journal 2004-05, Vol.37 (5), p.311-319
• Main Authors: Menezes, M. M., Valera, M. C., Jorge, A. O. C., Koga-Ito, C. Y., Camargo, C. H. R., Mancini, M. N. G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: calcium hydroxide; Calcium Hydroxide - pharmacology; Camphor - pharmacology; Candida albicans; Candida albicans - drug effects; chlorhexidine; Chlorhexidine - pharmacology; Chlorophenols - pharmacology; Colony Count, Microbial; Cresols - pharmacology; Dental Pulp Cavity - microbiology; Dentin - microbiology; Dentistry; Drug Combinations; Enterococcus faecalis; Enterococcus faecalis - drug effects; Formaldehyde - analogs & derivatives; Formaldehyde - pharmacology; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; root canal irrigants; Root Canal Irrigants - pharmacology; sodium hypochlorite; Sodium Hypochlorite - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0143-2885; 1365-2591
• DOI: 10.1111/j.0143-2885.2004.00799.x

Aim  To evaluate in vitro the effectiveness of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), chlorhexidine (CHX) and five intracanal medicaments on microorganisms within root canals. Methodology  Ninety‐six human single‐rooted extracted teeth were used. After removing the crowns, canal preparation was completed and the external root surfaces were coated with epoxy resin. Following sterilization, the teeth were contaminated with Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis, and were incubated at 37 ± 1 °C for 7 days. The teeth were divided according to the irrigant solution or intracanal medicament: group 1, sterile physiologic solution (SPS) and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) paste; group 2, SPS and camphorated paramonochlorophenol (CPMC); group 3, SPS and tricresol formalin; group 4, SPS and CaOH2 + CPMC paste; group 5, SPS and PMC furacin; group 6, 2.5% NaOCl without intracanal medication; group 7, 2.0% CHX without intracanal medication and group 8, SPS without intracanal medication (control group). Microbiological samples were collected with sterile paper points, and bacterial growth was determined. The data were submitted to the analysis of variance (anova, P = 0.05). Results  For C. albicans, groups 3 and 8 were statistically less effective than groups 1, 2, 4 and 5 (Kruskal–Wallis (K–W) = 65.241; gl = 7; P = 0.001). For E. faecalis, groups 6 and 8 were statistically less effective than groups 1–4 and 7 (K–W = 61.048; gl = 7; P = 0.001). Conclusions  Ca(OH)2 + CPMC paste was the most effective intracanal medicament for the elimination of the two microorganisms; 2.0% CHX solution was more effective than 2.5% NaOCl against E. faecalis.