In vitro antimicrobial effect of chlorhexidine-impregnated gutta percha points on Enterococcus faecalis

• Published in: International endodontic journal 2004-02, Vol.37 (2), p.105-113
• Main Authors: Lui, J. N., Sae-Lim, V., Song, K. P., Chen, N. N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: activ point; Anti-Infective Agents, Local - pharmacology; antimicrobial effect; Bicuspid; Calcium Hydroxide - pharmacology; Chlorhexidine - pharmacology; Colony Count, Microbial; Dental Pulp Cavity - microbiology; Dentin - microbiology; Dentistry; E. faecalis; Enterococcus faecalis - drug effects; Gutta-Percha - chemistry; Humans; intracanal medicament; Root Canal Irrigants - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0143-2885; 1365-2591
• DOI: 10.1111/j.0143-2885.2004.00734.x

Aim  To evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial effect of chlorhexidine‐impregnated gutta percha points, Roeko activ point (Roeko, Langenau, Germany) on Enterococcus faecalis. Methodology  Human maxillary premolar roots were prepared with .04 rotary ProFile instruments to a master apical file size 40, autoclave‐sterilized and then infected with E. faecalis (ATCC 29212) for 3 weeks. Baseline controls were carried out verifying negligible effects of plain gutta percha cones on E. faecalis. Subsequent to intracanal placement of calcium hydroxide, ‘activ points’ or saline (positive control) and the 2‐week incubation in 54 root specimens, dentine sampling at depths of 100 and 250 µm was carried out using .04 rotary ProFile instruments at sizes 60 and 90 to assess the quantity of bacteria present. Inactivating agents were used prior to sampling and the colony‐forming units (CFU) of E. faecalis were then plate‐counted after culturing. Statistical analysis was completed using the paired t‐test. Results  In comparison to the positive control, treatment with calcium hydroxide (P = 0.000 and 0.000) or activ points (P = 0.000 and 0.002) produced significantly lower colony counts of E. faecalis at dentine depths of 100 and 250 µm, respectively. Calcium hydroxide (2.10 × 102 CFU mL−1) was significantly more effective than activ points (1.58 × 103 CFU mL−1) at 100 µm (P = 0.013), but not at 250 µm (P = 0.353). Neither of these two medications was able to eliminate E. faecalis completely. Conclusions  Chlorhexidine‐impregnated activ points did not possess an in vitro inhibitory activity strong enough to eliminate E. faecalis completely from infected dentinal tubules.