Comparative evaluation of antifungal efficacy of conventional endodontic irrigants and chitosan nanoparticles.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2% chlorhexidine (CHX), and chitosan nanoparticles against Candida albicans using the agar disc-diffusion test. Materials and Methods: Strain of C. albicans was cultivated in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. Chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized using an ionic gelation method. Four groups were made according to the irrigants used. Group 1: 3% NaOCl, Group 2: 2% CHX, Group 3: chitosan nanoparticles, and Group 4: saline as control. Discs were added with the different irrigants and placed in a dish containing C. albicans. The plates were incubated at 37°C for 24h. The zone of inhibition was measured in millimeter. Results: Statistical analysis was performed using the test of one-way variance (ANOVA) and post hoc Tukey. Group 1 showed significantly higher zone of inhibition compared to Groups 2 and 3 (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the zones of inhibition of Groups 2 and 3 (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Chitosan nanoparticles and 2% CHX have similar efficacy against C. albicans, whereas 3% NaOCl was significantly better than both chitosan nanoparticles and CHX.

Scanning electron microscopic analysis to compare the cleaning efficiency of three different irrigation systems at different root canal levels: an in vitro study.

AIM: This study compared the efficacy of conventional, endovac and ultrasonic irrigation system for the removal of debris from root canal walls, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at cervical, middle and apical 3rd. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 freshly extracted human mandibular premolars with complete root formation were selected and divided into group 1 endovac, group 2 conventional and group 3 ultrasonic. After instrumentation and irrigation, the teeth were sectioned in buccolingual direction and analyzed by SEM and the results were analyzed statistically by students unpaired 't' test. RESULTS: There was significant difference between mean values of cervical (CV), middle (M), and apical (A) when endovac compared with conventional and conventional compared with ultrasonic group (i.e. < 0.05) and no significant difference between mean values at CV, M and A when endovac compared with ultrasonic group. CONCLUSION: Among all groups ultrasonic and endovac group showed cleaner canal walls and less amount of debris than conventional group. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Application of ultrasonic and endovac can be used effectively for irrigation of canals leading to least debris and better prognosis.

Comparison of the antibacterial efficiency of neem leaf extracts, grape seed extracts and 3% sodium hypochlorite against E. feacalis - An in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: E. faecalis is the predominant micro-organism recovered from root canal of the teeth where previous endodontic treatment has failed. Thorough debridement and complete elimination of micro-organisms are objectives of an effective endodontic treatment. For many years, intracanal irrigants have been used as an adjunct to enhance antimicrobial effect of cleaning and shaping in endodontics. The constant increase in antibiotic-resistant strains and side-effects of synthetic drugs has promoted researchers to look for herbal alternatives. For thousands of years humans have sought to fortify their health and cure various illnesses with herbal remedies, but only few have been tried and tested to withstand modern scientific scrutiny. The present study was aimed to evaluate alternative, inexpensive simple and effective means of sanitization of the root canal systems. The antimicrobial efficacy of herbal alternatives as endodontic irrigants is evaluated and compared with the standard irrigant sodium hypochlorite. MATERIALS & METHODS: Neem leaf extracts, grape seed extracts, 3% Sodium hypochlorite, absolute ethanol, Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) cultures, Brain heart infusion media. The agar diffusion test was performed in brain heart infusion media and broth. The agar diffusion test was used to measure the zone of inhibition. RESULTS: Neem leaf extracts and grape seed extracts showed zones of inhibition suggesting that they had anti-microbial properties. Neem leaf extracts showed significantly greater zones of inhibition than 3% sodium hypochlorite. Also interestingly grape seed extracts showed zones of inhibition but were not as significant as of neem extracts. CONCLUSION: Under the limitations of this study, it was concluded that neem leaf extract has a significant antimicrobial effect against E. faecalis. Microbial inhibition potential of neem leaf extract observed in this study opens perspectives for its use as an intracanal medication. How to cite this article: Ghonmode WN, Balsaraf OD, Tambe VH, Saujanya KP, Patil AK, Kakde DD. Comparison of the antibacterial efficiency of neem leaf extracts, grape seed extracts and 3% sodium hypochlorite against E. feacalis - An in vitro study. J Int Oral Health 2013; 5(6):61-6 .