COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF ROOT CANAL DISINFECTION USING 3% SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE, 940NM DIODE LASER AND PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY IN SINGLE SITTING PULPECTOMY: AN IN-VIVO STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Enterococcus faecalis is a common bacterial species in resistant and recurrent infections. It has an active proton pump which prevents its easy inhibition leading to endodontic treatment failure. LASER and photodynamic therapy have been employed lately in improving antimicrobial chemotherapy of localized infections. Aim: To compare disinfection efficacy of 940nm Diode LASER & Photodynamic therapy(PDT) to Conventional method using 3% Sodium hypochlorite in canals of endodontically treated primary teeth. Method: Single sitting Pulpectomy was performed on 60 mandibular first primary molars, divided into 3 groups, disinfected using mentioned modalities. Disinfection potential was compared collecting samples at 3 stages using paper points, cultured and incubated for 24hrs to check change in Colony Forming Units of the bacteria. Results: Data analysis with SPSS version 20 software using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann Whitney-U test. Conclusion: The three groups showed effective disinfection as revealed by the reduction in the colony forming units of the bacteria at baseline and after intervention. However, diode laser when used in conjunction with sodium hypochlorite as a disinfecting modality was found to be the most effective for the eradication of Enterococcus faecalis from infected root canals.