ASSESSMENT OF ANTIBACTERIAL EFFICACY OF DIFFERENT OBTURATION MATERIALS FOR PRIMARY TEETH (AN IN VITRO STUDY)

Abstract

Background: A desirable property of an obturation material in primary teeth is its antibacterial effect, this property promotes the disinfection of the pulp canals and improve the prognosis of pulpectomy and treatment outcomes. Aim of the study: evaluation the antibacterial potential of various obturation materials for primary teeth; Zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) only, calcium hydroxide with iodoform (Metapex) and a mixture of zinc oxide eugenol, calcium hydroxide and iodoform (Endoflas) against selected strains of bacteria; Enterococcus faecalis and Bacteroid fragilis. Materials and Methods: Agar diffusion method was used in which the antibacterial potential was tested by measuring the inhibition zone around each tested obturating material. Results: (Endoflas) showed the highest mean value of inhibition zone, in both types of bacteria, over the (Zinc-oxide and Eugenol) and (Metapex). The difference between the three obturating materials was statistically significant. Conclusion: The three obturating materials reported different antibacterial effect however, Endoflas was superior to Metapex and ZOE.