Comparative evaluation of the antimicrobial efficacy of different concentrations of the novel root canal filling material for primary teeth: A microbiological study

Abstract

Aim: To determine the antimicrobial efficacy of the different concentrations of a novel root canal filling material and to proclaim the best concentration with maximal antimicrobial effect against Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus faecalis. Materials and Methods: The present study is an in vitro microbiological study to check the antimicrobial efficacy of different concentrations of the novel obturating material which was prepared using calcium hydroxide, zinc oxide cement, and metronidazole against S. mutans and E. faecalis using Muller Hilton Agar for 24 hours at 37°C. A total of 30 samples were tested (15 for S. mutans and 15 for E. faecalis). The zone of inhibition was measured in millimeters after 24 hours. The values were entered in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and subjected to statistical analysis using Friedman test and Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: The mean zone of inhibition was statistically greater against S. mutans at 100 µL with 2% and 3% concentration of the novel root canal filling material (P = 0.01). Comparison in between the groups at different concentrations shows no statistically significant difference among the three different concentrations; however, the zone of inhibition is greater with 3% metronidazole. Conclusion: The formulation obtained with 3% metronidazole at 80-20 (calcium hydroxide–zinc oxide) concentration of the novel obturating material at 100 µL showed better antimicrobial activity against both S. mutans and E. faecalis.