Antimicrobial effect of herbal and conventional root canal endodontic irrigants against persistent pathogens.

Evaluation and comparison of natural products like triphala, eucalyptus and carvacol with conventional root canal irrigant such as sodium hypochlorite (NaOCL) and Chlorhexidine against persistent root canal pathogens like E. faecalis is of interest. Samples were taken both before irrigation as well as after irrigation. CFU was counted after the plates had been incubated overnight at temperature of 37°C overnight. The herbal products showed antibacterial effectiveness against persistent root canal pathogens like E. faecalis. The antibacterial effectiveness was high in NaOCL, chlorhexidine and eucalyptus extract.