Comparison of the Antibacterial Efficacy of Tea Tree Oil with 3% Sodium Hypochlorite and 2% Chlorhexidine against E. faecalis: An in vitro Study

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackground and objectivesAmong the bacterial species which most often cause endodontic failure,Enterococcus faecalisis the most important. This study compared the antibacterial efficacy of tea tree oil with 3% sodium hypochlorite and 2% chlorhexidine as a root canal irrigant, againstE. faecalisMaterials and MethodsNormal saline, tea tree oil, 3% sodium hypochlorite, 2% chlorhexidine and fresh stains ofE. faecaliswere used. Four round wells, 4 mm deep and 8 mm diameter, were punched using sterile cork borer in blood agar plates and divided into four groups: group A: normal saline (control), group B: 3% sodium hypochlorite, group C: 2% chlorhexidine and group D: tea tree oil. Agar well diffusion method was performed to compare the antibacterial efficacy of tea tree oil, 3% sodium hypochlorite and 2% chlorhexidine.ResultsThe results were tabulated and statistically analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Tea tree oil showed comparable inhibition of bacterial growth with sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine. No zone of inhibition was shown by normal saline (control).Interpretation and conclusionTea tree oil showed statistically significant antimicrobial activity againstEnterococcus faecalis, which is very much similar to sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine.AbbreviationsCHX: Chlorhexidine;E. faecalis: Enterococcus faecalis; NaOCl: Sodium hypochlorite.How to cite this articleKamath U, Sheth H, Ramesh S, Singla K. Comparison of the Antibacterial Efficacy of Tea Tree Oil with 3% Sodium Hypochlorite and 2% Chlorhexidine againstE. faecalis: An in vitroStudy. J Contemp Dent 2013; 3(3):117-120.