Antibacterial Potential of 2.5% Sodium Hypochlorite in Distinct Irrigation Protocols on Enterococcus faecalis Biofilm.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of irrigation methods on antibacterial potential of 2.5% NaOCl on Enterococcus faecalis biofilm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Enterococcus faecalis biofilms were prepared during 60 days on 48 human root canals and randomized into control and experimental groups using positive and negative pressure irrigation. Bacterial growth was analyzed using turbidity of culture medium followed by UV spectrophotometry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were performed. Mean and standard deviations were used for evaluate the mean optical densities associated to the number of bacteria present culture, and Scheirer-Ray-Hare (an extension of the Kruskal-Wallis test) and Tamhane test to analyze the SEM images in the groups and thirds. Significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: Enterococcus faecalis was still present after root canal cleaning regardless of irrigation methods or bacterial identification methods. CONCLUSION: Positive and negative pressure irrigation protocols using 2.5% NaOCl show a similar capacity to reduce E. faecalis in infected root canals.

Chemical elements characterization of root canal sealers using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical elements composition of root canal filling materials using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). METHODS: Eighteen standard polyethylene tubes were filled with the following materials: Sealapex(®), Sealer 26(®), MTA Fillapex(®), Pulp Canal Sealer(®), Endofill(®) and AH Plus(®). After 48 hours at 37°C and 95% relative humidity, the samples were surface-sputtered with gold and analyzed using SEM at 5000X magnification. Their chemical composition and element distributionwere determined using EDX. Results were evaluated qualitatively (SEM images and elemental mapping) and quantitatively (weight percentage). RESULTS: Calcium oxide- and hydroxide-based sealers (Sealapex(®) and Sealer 26(®)) had calcium peaks of 53.58 wt% and 65.00 wt%. MTA Fillapex(®) had 30.58 wt% of calcium and high amounts of silicon (31.02 wt%) and bismuth (27.38 wt%). Zinc oxide- and eugenol-based sealers, Pulp Canal Sealer(®) and Endofill(®), had 67.74 wt% and 63.16 wt% of zinc each. AH Plus(®) had a higher amount of zirconium (64.24 wt%). All materials had elements other than those described by the manufacturers. Surface analysis using EDX revealed that regularity varied, element distribution was uniform, and particles had similar sizes and variable shapes. CONCLUSIONS: Most chemical elements were those described by the manufacturers, but percentages were different. The surface of root canal sealers had different regularity findings, uniform distribution and particles of similar sizes but variable shapes.

A preliminary study of the antibacterial potential of cetylpyridinium chloride in root canals infected by E. faecalis.

The aim of this preliminary study was to verify the antibacterial potential of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) in root canals infected by Enterococcus faecalis. Forty human maxillary anterior teeth were prepared and inoculated with E. faecalis for 60 days. The teeth were randomly assigned to the following groups: 1: Root canal preparation (RCP) + 0.1% CPC with positive-pressure irrigation (PPI, Conventional, NaviTip(®)); 2: RCP + 0.2% CPC PPI; 3: RCP + 2.5% NaOCl PPI; 4: RCP + 2.5% NaOCl with negative-pressure irrigation system (NPI, EndoVac(®)); 5: Positive control; and 6: Negative control. Four teeth of each experimental group were evaluated by culture and 4 by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In all teeth, the root canals were dried and filled with 17% EDTA (pH 7.2) for 3 min for smear layer removal. Samples from the infected root canals were collected and immersed in 7 mL of Letheen Broth (LB), followed by incubation at 37°C for 48 h. Bacterial growth was analyzed by turbidity of culture medium and then observed with a UV spectrophotometer. The irrigating solutions were further evaluated for antimicrobial effect by an agar diffusion test.The statistical data were treated by means, standard deviation, Kruskal-Wallis test and analysis of variance. Significance level was set at 5%. The results showed the presence of E. faecalis after root canal sanitization. The number of bacteria decreased after the use of CPC. In the agar diffusion test, CPC induced large microbial inhibition zones, similar to 2% chlorhexidine and large than 2.5% NaOCl. In conclusion, cetylpyridinium chloride showed antibacterial potential in endodontic infection with E. faecalis.

A preliminary study of the antibacterial potential of cetylpyridinium chloride in root canals infected by E. faecalis

The aim of this preliminary study was to verify the antibacterial potential of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) in root canals infected by Enterococcus faecalis. Forty human maxillary anterior teeth were prepared and inoculated with E. faecalis for 60 days. The teeth were randomly assigned to the following groups: 1: Root canal preparation (RCP) + 0.1% CPC with positive-pressure irrigation (PPI, Conventional, NaviTip®); 2: RCP + 0.2% CPC PPI; 3: RCP + 2.5% NaOCl PPI; 4: RCP + 2.5% NaOCl with negative-pressure irrigation system (NPI, EndoVac®); 5: Positive control; and 6: Negative control. Four teeth of each experimental group were evaluated by culture and 4 by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In all teeth, the root canals were dried and filled with 17% EDTA (pH 7.2) for 3 min for smear layer removal. Samples from the infected root canals were collected and immersed in 7 mL of Letheen Broth (LB), followed by incubation at 37°C for 48 h. Bacterial growth was analyzed by turbidity of culture medium and then observed with a UV spectrophotometer. The irrigating solutions were further evaluated for antimicrobial effect by an agar diffusion test.The statistical data were treated by means, standard deviation, Kruskal-Wallis test and analysis of variance. Significance level was set at 5%. The results showed the presence of E. faecalis after root canal sanitization. The number of bacteria decreased after the use of CPC. In the agar diffusion test, CPC induced large microbial inhibition zones, similar to 2% chlorhexidine and large than 2.5% NaOCl. In conclusion, cetylpyridinium chloride showed antibacterial potential in endodontic infection with E. faecalis.

O objetivo deste estudo preliminar foi verificar o potencial antibacteriano de cloreto de cetilpiridínio (CCP) em canais radiculares infectados por E. faecalis. Quarenta dentes anteriores de humanos foram preparados e inoculados com E. faecalis por 60 dias. Os dentes foram aleatoriamente distribuídos como se segue: 1. Preparo do canal radicular (PCR) + CCP 0,1% com sistema de pressão positiva de irrigação (PPI, convencional, Navitip®); 2. PCR + CPC 0,2% PPI; 3. PCR + NaOCl 2,5% PPI, 4. PCR + NaOCl 2,5% com sistema de pressão negativa de irrigação (PNI, EndoVac®); 5 e 6. Controles positivos e negativos. Quatro dentes de cada grupo experimental foram avaliados por cultura e quatro por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Em todos os dentes, os canais foram secos e preenchidos com EDTA 17% (pH 7,2) durante 3 min. As amostras dos canais radiculares infectados foram coletadas e imersas em 7 mL Letheen Broth (LB), seguido de incubação a 37° C durante 48 h. O crescimento bacteriano foi analisado pela turvação do meio de cultura, e mensurados por meio de um espectrofotometro (UV). As soluções irrigantes foram ainda avaliadas em teste de difusão em ágar. A análise estatística utilizou de média, desvio padrão,teste de Kruskal-Wallis e análise de variância. O nível de significância foi de 5%. Os resultados mostraram a presença de E. faecalis posterior ao processo de desinfecção do canal radicular. O cloreto de cetilpiridínio mostrou reduzir o número de bactérias. No teste de difusão em ágar, o CPC determinou inibição microbiana, com resultados semelhantes à CHX a 2% e maiores do que o hipoclorito de sódio a 2,5%. O cloreto de cetilpiridínio demonstrou potencial antibacteriano em infecção endodôntica por E. faecalis.