The sealing ability of resilon and gutta-parcha following different smear layer removal methods: an ex vivo study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the ex-vivo sealing ability of Resilon/new Epiphany (SE) sealer to that of gutta-percha/AH-Plus following smear layer removal with EDTA or MTAD. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred extracted single-rooted human teeth were divided into 4 experimental groups and 2 positive and negative control groups. EDTA was used in groups 1 and 2. In groups 3 and 4 MTAD was used. The root canals were then obturated with gutta-percha/AH-Plus in groups 1 and 3 and Resilon/Epiphany (SE) in groups 2 and 4. After sterilization, the samples were coronally exposed to human saliva and monitored every 24 hours for 60 days. RESULTS: In groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, 45%, 65%, 90%, and 65% of specimens leaked within 60 days, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between group 1 and 3 (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Resilon/Epiphany (SE) system is as effective as gutta-percha/AH-Plus in preventing saliva leakage. MTAD did not adversely affect the sealing ability of Resilon/Epiphany (SE).

Antimicrobial effect of Rosa damascena extract on selected endodontic pathogens.

The purpose of this study was to compare the antimicrobial activity of a plant-derived extract (2 percent Rosa damascena extract) with 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and 2 percent chlorhexidine (CHX) on selected endodontic pathogens. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 2 percent rose extract and 2 percent CHX for test microorganisms, except F. nucleatum, were lower than that of 5.25 percent NaOCl. All solutions were able to kill all test microorganisms after one minute.

The effect of Carvacrol on Enterococcus faecalis as a final irrigant.

INTRODUCTION: Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is an effective antimicrobial irrigant, however its toxic effects and deterrent odor are not ideal. Carvacrol is an edible plant extract with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that is effective against Enterococcus (E) faecalis. The aim of this study was to evaluate Carvacrol's antibacterial efficacy against E. faecalis bacteria as a final irrigant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty extracted single-rooted human teeth were utilized. After mechanical preparations, samples were randomly divided into three experimental (A, B and C) and two control groups. E. faecalis was cultured in both experimental and positive control groups. After bacterial counting in all canals, 5.25% NaOCl, 0.6% Carvacrol emulsion and MTAD were used as final irrigants in groups A, B and C respectively. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: There was no meaningful difference in bacterial reduction between groups A and B; however, group C showed significantly lower efficacy compared to other groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The 0.6% Carvacrol disinfects root canals effectively. It also has anti-inflammatory qualities and therefore may be an acceptable alternative for NaOCl.

Influence of Bovine Serum Albumin on the Antibacterial Activity of Endodontic Irrigants against Enterococcus Faecalis.

INTRODUCTION: It has been demonstrated that organic content of the root canals can influence the antimicrobial capability of chemical irrigants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of bovine serum albumin (BSA), as an organic material, on the antimicrobial activity of several intracanal irrigants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bactericidal activity of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) 17%, citric acid 10%, Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) 5.25%, Chlorhexidine 0.2% (CHX), Smear Clear and Cetrimide 0.5% were tested by means of dilution-neutralization method. Contact times were 10 and 30 seconds, 5, 10, 30, 60 minutes and 24 hours. First 950 λ of the medicament was mixed with 50 λ of the bacterial suspension in an Eppendorf test tube. The suspensions were thoroughly mixed. Sterile water served as negative controls. After each contact time, 100 λ of samples was transferred to the Eppendorf test tubes which contained neutralizers. After 5 minutes, 50 λ of serial dilutions were cultured on brain heart infusion agar and incubated in aerobic conditions. Then colonies were counted and reported as cfu/mL. In half of the samples, medicaments were suspended in BSA 0.5% 30 minutes before examination to assess its possible inhibitory effect on the antibacterial activity. RESULTS: NaOCl 5.25%, Cetrimide 0.5% and Smear Clear showed bactericidal activity within seconds after the incubation. BSA had no inhibitory effect on bactericidal activity of these three medicaments. CHX took 5 and10 minutes to kill all bacterial cells in the absence and presence of BSA, respectively. Citric acid and EDTA showed the least antibacterial activity. CONCLUSION: In this study, NaOCl 5.25%, Cetrimide 0.5% and Smear Clear were significantly more effective against E. faecalis than EDTA 17% and citric acid 10% in the presence and absence of BSA. Also, in the presence of BSA, bactericidal activity of CHX 0.2% against E. faecalis was significantly more than EDTA after 10 and 30 minutes of contact time. EDTA and citric acid showed the least bactericidal activity. [Iranian Endodontic Journal 2009;4(4):139-43].