In vitro evaluation of octenidine as an antimicrobial agent against Staphylococcus epidermidis in disinfecting the root canal system

OBJECTIVES: Irrigants are imperative in endodontic therapy for the elimination of pathogens from the infected root canal. The present study compared the antimicrobial efficacy of octenidine dihydrochloride (OCT) with chlorhexidine (CHX) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) against Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) for root canal disinfection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was obtained using serial dilution method. The agar diffusion method was then used to determine the zones of inhibition for each irrigant. Lastly, forty 6-mm dentin blocks were prepared from human mandibular premolars and inoculated with S. epidermidis. Samples were randomly divided into 4 groups of 10 blocks and irrigated for 3 minutes with saline (control), 2% CHX, 3% NaOCl, or 0.1% OCT. Dentin samples were then collected immediately for microbial analysis, including an analysis of colony-forming units (CFUs). RESULTS: The MICs of each tested irrigant were 0.05% for CHX, 0.25% for NaOCl, and 0.0125% for OCT. All tested irrigants showed concentration-dependent increase in zones of inhibition, and 3% NaOCl showed the largest zone of inhibition amongst all tested irrigants (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences among the CFU measurements of 2% CHX, 3% NaOCl, and 0.1% OCT showing complete elimination of S. epidermidis in all samples. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that OCT was comparable to or even more effective than CHX and NaOCl, demonstrating antimicrobial activity at low concentrations against S. epidermidis.

Fibrin sealant as an alternative for sutures in periodontal surgery

The trial compared wound healing clinically, histologically and morphometrically after the use of fibrin sealant and sutures for periodontal flap closure. Ten patients were selected for this split-mouth randomized controlled clinical trial. On the test site fibrin sealant [F] was applied for flap closure after periodontal flap surgery [n = 10] and on the control site sutures [S] were used [n = 10]. Clinically wound healing was observed at 7, 14 and 21 days and biopsy was taken on the 8th day. At seventh day better healing was observed in fibrin sealant site. Histologically mature epithelium and connective tissue formation was seen in fibrin sealant site with increased density of fibroblasts [F = 70.45 +/- 7.22; S = 42.95 +/- 4.34, p < 0.001] and mature collagen fibers. The suture site had more number of inflammatory cells [S = 32.58 +/- 4.29; F = 20.91 +/- 4.46, p < 0.001] and more number of blood vessels [S = 11.89 +/- 3.64; F = 5.74 +/- 2.41, p = 0.005]. Fibrin sealant can form a better alternative to sutures for periodontal flap surgery

Commentary on "Relationship between maternal periodontal disease and Apgar score of newborns"

No abstract available.