[Antimicrobial effect of Citrus aurantifolia extract on Enterococcus faecalis within the dentinal tubules in the presence of smear layer]

Instrumentation of the root canals results in formation of smear layer which covers the dentinal tubules. In infected teeth, it is ideal to achieve a material that has the ability to remove the smear layer besides antimicrobial activity. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of Citrus aurantifolia extracts [lime juice and rind extract] on Enterococcus faecalis within dentinal tubules in the presence of smear layer. One-hundred and forty dentin tubes were prepared from bovine incisors. After removal the smear layer, the specimens were infected with Enterococcus faecalis. Then, the smear layer was reformed. Test solutions were used as the irrigants in study groups as follows: group 1: 5.25% NaOCl; group 2: 17% EDTA; group 3: NaOCl+EDTA; group 4: Lime juice; group 5: ethanolic rind extract of C.aurantifolia; group 6: 96% ethanol. Dentin chips were collected from inner and outer layers of dentinal walls and optical density was measured. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tamphane tests. In outer layer of dentin, the efficacy of rind extract was less than that of NaOCl+EDTA [P<0.05]. Also Lime juice was less effective than EDTA, NaOCl and NaOCl+EDTA [P<0.05]. In inner layer of dentin, Lime juice was significantly less effective than NaOCl and NaOCl+EDTA [P<0.05]. The efficacy of rind extract was less than that of NaOCl + EDTA [P<0.05]. In the presence of smear layer, the antimicrobial activity of Lime juice was less than that of NaOCl but the efficacy of rind extract was similar to that of NaOCl

Endodontic treatment of two-canalled maxillary central and lateral incisors: a case report

Familiarity with the intricacies and variations of root canal morphology is essential for successful endodontic treatment. Maxillary central and lateral incisors are known to be single-rooted with one canal, however, this case report describes endodontic treatment of maxillary central and lateral incisors with two buccopalatal root canals

In vitro comparison of the antimicrobial effect of calcium hydroxide mixed with different vehicles on infected root canals

The main purpose of root canal treatment is to eliminate microorganisms and their by-products. The use of antimicrobial agents besides mechanical preparation ins necessary to achieve this goal. On the other hand, calcium hydroxide is ineffective in Killing some resistant microorganisms. The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the effectiveness of calcium hydroxide mixed with different vehicles [Distilled water, Sodium hypochlorite or Chlorhexidine] in disinfecting the root canal and dentin of the infected teeth. After root canal preparation of 130 single rooted teeth, they were sterilized and randomly divided into three experimental [n=40 in each grou] and two control groups. Then, the specimens were experimentally infected with E. faecalis and C. albicans during a period of 21 days. The infected specimens were exposed to the pastes of calcium hydroxide mixed with distilled water solution, CHX or NaOCl. Antimicrobial assessment was performed at 24h, 48h, 1 week and 2 week [n=10 in each time interval]. Microbial samples were obtained from the root canals before and after the experiment. Also, the dentin samples were obtained for evaluating dentin disinfection. The data were analyzed, using Two-way ANOVA test. This study showed that there was no significant difference between the three intracanal medicaments and also between the four periods of time [p>0.05]. However, the mixture of calcium hydroxide/distilled water did not completely eradicate E. faecalis from dentinal tubules at any period of time. According to the results of this study, calcium hydroxide mixed with CHX or NaOCl is better than calcium hydroxide mixed with distilled water for dentin disinfection in cases of persistent intracanal infection