In vivo study of antibacterial effect of calcium hydroxide and chlorhexidine as intracanal medicaments in a sample of Pakistani population

ABSTRACT

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the antibacterial effects of Calcium hydroxide and Chlorhexidene as intra canal medicaments in a sample of Pakistani population. Eighty, single rooted teeth of patients with necrotic pulps and periradicular lesion who presented at Department Of Operative Dentistry, Fatima Jinnah Dental College Hospital, Azam Basti were recruited in the study. At first appointment the root canals were cleaned, shaped and dried. Initial samples for bacteriological examination were taken. Medicaments to be tested were placed in the root canals and access cavities were sealed with temporary filling material. After seven days, samples were taken again from the root canal and inspected for growth of microorganism to determine the efficacy of the medicament used. Data was compared using 'Pearson's Chi-square test' on SPSS version 10 for windows. Twenty three [57.5%] out of 40 cases with Chlorhexidene dressing yielded negative cultures. Whereas Calcium Hydroxide group showed negative cultures in 18 [45%] out of 40. There were no statistically significant differences between the two medicament groups. [p-value is 0.263]. Chlorhexidene has better antibacterial effects than calcium hydroxide clinically. However, there were no statistically significant differences among the medicaments tested