Evaluation of effect of dentin powder on antibacterial properties of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate - An in vitro study

Abstract

Aim : To compare the additive effect of Dentin powder on antibacterial properties of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate against Enterococcus faecalis. Materials and Methods : The antimicrobial effectiveness of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate against a standard strain and an isolated strain of Enterococcus faecalis was evaluated in vitro. Fresh MTA powder, powder from crushed set materials and pieces of uncrushed set cements were suspended in autoclaved water at different concentrations for direct exposure testing. The antimicrobial effect of the cements mixed with equal amounts of human dentin powder and liquid in 1.5:1.5:1 was also tested. Results and Observations : The addition of equal amounts of dentin powder to the suspension of MTA powder (both fresh and set) resulted in faster elimination of the bacteria (p < 0.05) in standard strain. Similar inhibitory potential was observed in an isolated strain from a case of apical periodontitis which are expected to be more resistant than standard strain when higher concentration of mix was used. Conclusion : Addition of dentin powder to mineral trioxide aggregate significantly increased its antibacterial efficacy against Enterococcus faecalis.