Assessment of Long-Term Success and Survival Rates of Different Types of Intracanal Medicaments

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Antimicrobial endodontic intracanal medicaments play a vital role along with biomechanical preparation in the elimination of bacteria present in the pulp area to achieve success in endodontic therapy. Aim: The present research was conducted with the objective of evaluating and comparing intracanal medicaments regarding antibacterial properties against Enterococcus faecalis. Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty healthy human premolars of the mandible were used. All premolar crowns were removed, keeping the standardized length of the root as 15 mm. Category 1 received triple antibiotic paste (TAP) (n = 30), Category 2 received double antibiotic paste (DAP) (n = 30), Category 3 received augmentin (n = 30), and Category 4 received calcium hydroxide (n = 30). Hygienic paper points were placed in each root canal, then they were moved to a tube containing 1 mL of brain-heart infusion medium and left there for bacteriological testing. Colony-forming units (CFUs) of E. faecalis were then observed and counted after the plates had been incubated overnight at a temperature of 37°C. Results: During intracategory comparisons, there was a significant reduction in colonies of E. feacilis in each category (P ≤ 0.001). When there were intercategory comparisons, there was a maximum reduction in CFU in specimens of Category 1 (TAP) followed by Category 3 (Augmentin) and Category 2 (DAP). Conclusion: Intracanal medicaments like TAP, DAP, and augmentin are effective against root canal E. faecalis.