A Comparative Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Septilin, Calcium Hydroxide and 2 % Chlorhexidine as an Intracanal Medicament - An In Vitro Study

ABSTRACT

One of the most important objectives of root canal treatment is elimination of microorganisms in the root canals. The use of intra-canal medicament may be helpful in eliminating remaining bacteria that survived inside the root canals after complete chemo-mechanical preparation. This study aims to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial activity of Septilin, chlorhexidine and calcium hydroxide against Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus mutans. Intra-canal medicament helps in eliminating remaining bacteria that survived inside root canals after complete chemo-mechanical preparation. MethodsThe well variant of agar diffusion test using brain heart infusion agar was used for evaluating the antimicrobial activity of the intra-canal medicaments. McFarland 0.5 turbidity standard was taken as reference to adjust the turbidity of bacterial suspensions. The wells were prepared and filled with of Septilin, chlorhexidine and calcium hydroxide. This was done for both the test organisms and plates were incubated in an incubator for 24 hrs. at 37 °C. After incubation, antimicrobial effectiveness was determined using digital caliper (mm) by measuring zone of inhibition. ResultsThe mean zone of inhibition for chlorhexidine, calcium hydroxide, and Septilin were 29.50 ± 0.58, 25.00 ± 0.00, 20.00 ± 0.82 for E. faecalis and 28.50 ± 1.00, 24.25 ± 0.96, 19.50 ± 1.29 for S. mutans respectively. ConclusionsSeptilin showed significant inhibition against E. faecalis and S. mutans but its antibacterial activity is less compared to that of calcium hydroxide and chlorhexidine. Moreover, the dark colour of the material might cause tooth discoloration.