Evaluation of antibacterial effects of different intracanal medicaments on Enterococcus faecalis in primary teeth: An in vitro study.

OBJECTIVES: Successful endodontic therapy is based on the reduction of infecting bacteria by cleaning, shaping, and disinfecting of the root canal system, thus the use of intracanal dressing is necessary for optimal success of root canal treatment. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of chitosan and propolis as intracanal medicaments against Enterococcus faecalis compared to calcium hydroxide in primary root canals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety-six extracted primary second molars were collected. Teeth preparation was completed to size 30 K-file. They were randomly divided into four groups; (A): chitosan, (B): propolis, (C): calcium hydroxide, and (D): control group (saline). The tooth specimens were inoculated with E. faecalis. Then, tested materials were applied for all groups in accordance to the groups each tooth belonged to. Following this, the bacterial colonies were counted after 24 h, 72 h, and 1 week of applying dressing materials and incubation. Finally, one-way analysis of variance and Fisher's least significant difference tests were used for statistical comparisons between the groups at a significance level of .05. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found between groups A, B, and C for both 24 h and a week (p ≥ .05). Yet, a statistical difference between groups A, B, C, and D after 72 h and 1 week were seen (p ≤ .05). CONCLUSIONS: Chitosan and propolis medicaments were as effective as calcium hydroxide against E. faecalis in primary root canal treatment and might be considered as an alternative dressing material between treatment sessions.

The effect of chlorhexidine-thymol and fluoride varnishes on the levels of Streptococcus mutans in saliva in children aged 6-8 years.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus mutans is considered as the main pathogenic factor for initiation and progression of dental caries. Fluoride is one of the most effective agents used to control caries. Chlorhexidine (CHX) is the most antimicrobial agent against S. mutans and dental caries. AIMS: The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of antimicrobial activity of CHX-thymol (CHX/T) and fluoride varnishes on S. mutans levels in children's saliva aged from 6 to 8 years old. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The total number of children involved in this study is sixty, ages 6 and 8 years old. The participants were divided into three groups by block randomization: Group 1 CHX/T varnish, Group 2 fluoride varnish (f varnish, and Group 3 control group. Varnish was applied onto all tooth surfaces of the participants. At the baseline conditions, saliva samples were collected from the participants for bacterial examination test. This procedure was repeated in week 1, 4, and 12. Bacterial quantitative test was performed, and the number of S. mutans was estimated. RESULTS: The results revealed the significant efficacy of the two groups (fluoride and CHX/T varnishes) in reducing salivary S. mutans numbers when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). In terms of salivary colony-forming unit counts reduction of S. mutans, no significant difference was observed between the fluoride and CHX/T varnish groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The outcomes showed that there was a significant reduction in S. mutans counts in children's saliva following the application of fluoride and CHX/T varnishes.