Correspondence author:
Hilal ERDOGAN
Nevsehir Haci Bektas Veli University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Endodontics, 2000 Evler Mah. Zübeyde Hanım Cad. 50300, Nevşehir/Turkiye. Email:hilalerdogan@nevsehir.edu.tr
Tel: +90 (384) 228 10 00-22009
ORCID ID: 0000-0001-5219-4693
Acknowledgments: The authors deny any conflicts of interest
Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
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Antibacterial Efficacy of Alternative and Conventional Endodontic Irrigants on S.mutans andE.faecalis
Objectives: Effective removal of microorganisms from the root canal system plays an important role in the success of endodontic treatment. Sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine are commonly used irrigation solutions in endodontics, but due to their disadvantages, the search for alternative irrigation solutions continues. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activities of alternative and conventional endodontic irrigation solutions against Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus mutans.
Methods: The following solutions were evaluated: 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl); 2% chlorhexidine (CHX); 0.02% (200 ppm) hypochlorous acid (HOCl); 0.1% Polyhexanide (PHMB). Sterile saline was used as a negative control. Antiseptics were impregnated on disk-shaped filter papers. Then, these discs were placed first separately and then in pairs to investigate the synergistic effects of antiseptics when used alone or together, and the zone diameters were measured by the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method.
Results: In S.mutans, 20mm inhibition zone diameter was measured for both CHX and HOCl when used alone, and the highest antimicrobial activity was observed. Approximately the same efficacy was observed in NaOCl (6mm) and PHMB (5mm). The highest efficacy was observed in CHX+HOCl (20mm) in combined use. In E.faecalis , the highest antimicrobial activity was observed in CHX as a 5mm inhibition zone diameter when used alone, and in CHX+HOCl (12mm) and CHX+PHMB (10mm) when used in combination.
Conclusions: Alternative endodontic irrigation solutions had different antimicrobial effects on test microorganisms. The use of hypochlorous acid, which is an alternative irrigation solution, together with chlorhexidine may provide microbiological advantages in clinical use.
Keywords: Antimicrobials, chlorhexidine, endodontics, irrigation, microbiology, sodium hypochlorite