Efficacy of the EndoActivator system used throughout the endodontic cleaning and shaping procedure to disinfect root canals infected with Candida albicans

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the present investigation was to analyze the effectiveness of using the EndoActivator™ (EA) system (DENTSPLY Tulsa Dental Specialties, Tulsa, OK) throughout the cleaning and shaping process to disinfect root canals contaminated with Candida albicans . Materials and Methods: Forty-six extracted human single-rooted teeth were selected. Except for those used as negative controls, the teeth were standardized and then infected with C. albicans . Infected teeth were randomly divided into four experimental irrigation protocol groups (n = 10); normal saline, normal saline with EA activation, 6% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCL), or 6% NaOCL with the EA activation. Three teeth were left untreated to serve as positive controls. Teeth not included in control groups were instrumented with ISO Profile rotary files (DENTSPLY-Tulsa Dental, York, PA). In groups that utilized the EA, the irrigant was activated throughout the procedure. Results: All samples of the positive control and saline groups showed C. albicans growth. The negative controls had no growth and NaOCL alone groups showed one sample growth. When the EA was used with NaOCL, three samples showed C. albicans growth. Conclusion: EA activation throughout the procedure did not add any benefit to disinfect root canal system against C. albicans .