Evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of 0.5% IKI, 3% NaOCI and 0.2% CHX when used alone and in combination as intracanal irrigants against Enterococcus Faecalis. – An in vitro study

Abstract

The success of endodontic treatment depends on the complete elimination of microorganisms from the complex root canal system. This is accomplished by chemo-mechanical preparation of the root canal system. Persistence of micro-organism and reinfection are the main causes of failed root canal therapy. Highly virulent Enterococcus faecalis has been implicated in endodontic treatment failure because of its resistance to intracanal irrigants and medication. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of 0.5% iodine potassium iodide, 3% NaOCl, 0.2%CHX, as intracanal irrigants against Enterococcus faecalis, when used individually and their combination. A total number of 64 single rooted extracted teeth were sterilized by autoclaving and Enterococcus faecalis was inoculated into the root canals and left for 24 hours. Teeth were then divided into 8 groups and each group had 8 teeth, irrigated with 0.5% Iodine potassium iodide, 3% Sodium hypochlorite, 0.2% Chlorhexidine and their combination were performed in the root canals. Dentinal shavings were collected from specimens and cultured on brain heart infusion agar plates. Bacterial colonies of treated teeth and control specimens were counted and results were statistically analyzed. IKI when used alone showed the best antimicrobial effect at the middle third of the root canal. Combination of CHX and NaOCl showed the best antimicrobial effect at the apical third of the root canal. However there was no statistically significant difference between the irrigants IKI and CHX & NaOCl combination. From the results of the present study it can be concluded that IKI can be very useful intra canal irrigant in retreatment of root canal cases failed due to E faecalis.