Antimicrobial efficacy of chlorine dioxide against Candida albicans in stationary and starvation phases in human root canal: Anin-vitrostudy

Abstract

Introduction: Candida albicans (C. albicans) is the most commonly isolated fungal pathogen from dental root canal.C. albicans forms biofilm and develops resistance against root canal irrigants .This study determines the fungicidal efficacy of 13.8% chlorine dioxide in extracted human teeth at stationary and starvation phases of C. albicans .Materials and Methods: Teeth were decoronated and coronal portion of the roots were prepared into blocks, which were incubated at 37 °C with C. albicans for five days. The samples were treated with chlorine dioxide for 12 and 20 minutes. Total of fifty blocks were taken in the study. Colony-forming units were counted in Sabourauds dextrose agar and scanning electron microscopic observation was done. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Bonferoni’s post hoc test. Results: Teeth at stationary phase (12 min) showed mean colony count of 28,000 ± 1814 which is significantly (P< 0.001) less than control group. Teeth at starvation phase (12 min) showed colony count of 65,600 ± 1912 which is also significantly (P < 0.001) less than control group. Teeth irrigated at stationary phase (20 min) showed mean colony count of 23,400 ± 1776 (P< 0.001). Teeth irrigated at starvation phase (20 min) showed mean colony count of 48,100 ± 1663 which is also significantly (P< 0.001) less than that of control group.Conclusion:Treatment of chlorine dioxide reduces the C. albicans count in root canals of extracted human teeth at stationary and starvation phases. Efficacy of chlorine dioxide against C. albicans is relatively higher in stationary phase than that of starvation phase