Disinfection of dentinal tubules with 2% Chlorhexidine gel, Calcium hydroxide and herbal intracanal medicaments against Enterococcus faecalis: An in-vitro study

Singapore Dent J. 2017 Dec:38:39-44. doi: 10.1016/j.sdj.2017.06.001.

Abstract

Aim: This in vitro study was conducted to evaluate the disinfection of dentinal tubules using 2% Chlorhexidine gel, Honey, Aloe vera gel, Curcuma longa, Propolis gel and Calcium hydroxide against Enterococcus faecalis.

Materials and method: Two hundred and ten human mandibular first premolars were infected with Enterococcus faecalis for 21 days. Samples were divided into 7 groups. Group I- Saline (negative control), Group II- 2% Chlorhexidine gel(CHX), Group III- honey, Group IV- Aloe vera gel, Group V- 20% Curcuma longa gel, Group VI- Propolis gel and Group VII -Calcium hydroxide (CH). At the end of 1, 3 and 5 days, the antimicrobial efficacy of medicaments against E.faecalis was assessed at the depths of 200µm and 400µm.

Results: 2% Chlorhexidine gel was most effective followed by Propolis and Curcuma longa.

Conclusion: 2% Chlorhexidine gel gave the best results. Among the herbal extracts Propolis and Curcuma longa hold a promising future but to implement their use as sole intracanal medicaments clinically, further in vivo and long term studies are warranted.

Keywords: Dentinal tubule disinfection; Enterococcus faecalis; Propolis; intracanal medicaments.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Bicuspid / microbiology
  • Calcium Hydroxide / administration & dosage
  • Chlorhexidine / administration & dosage
  • Curcuma
  • Dentin / microbiology*
  • Disinfectants / administration & dosage*
  • Disinfection / methods*
  • Enterococcus faecalis / drug effects*
  • Gels
  • Honey
  • Humans
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage
  • Plant Preparations / administration & dosage
  • Propolis / administration & dosage
  • Root Canal Preparation

Substances

  • Aloe vera gel
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Disinfectants
  • Gels
  • Plant Extracts
  • Plant Preparations
  • turmeric extract
  • Propolis
  • Calcium Hydroxide
  • Chlorhexidine