Antimicrobial Activity of Two Root Canal Filling Pastes in Deciduous Teeth: an in Vitro Study

Abstract

<p>Endodontic treatment in deciduous teeth is very important so that we can preserve the primary dentition and thus promote appropriate craniofacial development. However, the use of filling pastes that have some important biological properties for the preservation of the tooth is required. The objective this study was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of two root canal filling pastes in deciduous teeth, Vitapex® and Calcipex®, on microbial species commonly found in endodontic infections (Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus), using the agar diffusion test. The experiment was carried out on BHI (Brain Heart Infusion) plates in four equidistant points, which were immediately filled with the sealers Vitapex® and Calcipex®. The<br />chlorhexidine gluconate 1% (CHX) and distilled water were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. After incubation of plates at 37 °C for 24 h, the diameter of the growth inhibition zones around the wells was measured (in millimeters) with a digital caliper with reflected light. The test was performed in triplicate and data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). Both pastes had antimicrobial activity, but Calcipex® was more efficient for most strains. The halo formed in the experiments with S. mutans and S. sanguinis was similar for both pastes. This study suggests that Calcipex® had the highest antimicrobial property with respect to the microorganisms studied.</p>