Lima RKP, Guerreiro‐Tanomaru JM, Faria‐Júnior NB, Tanomaru‐Filho M. Effectiveness of calcium hydroxide‐based intracanal medicaments against Enterococcus faecalis. International Endodontic Journal, 45, 311–316, 2012.
Abstract
Aim To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of calcium hydroxide‐based intracanal medicaments against Enterococcus faecalis.
Methodology One hundred and six single‐rooted human teeth were inoculated with E. faecalis (ATCC 29212) and incubated in an microaerophilic environment for 21 days. Teeth were divided according to the medicaments and period: G1 – Calen (7 days); G2 – Calen (14 days); G3 – Calen/camphorated paramonochlorophenol (CMCP) (7 days); G4 – Calen/CMCP (14 days); G5 – Calen/0.4% chlorhexidine (CHX) (7 days); G6 – Calen/0.4% CHX (14 days); G7 – Calen/1% CHX (7 days); G8 – Calen/1% CHX (14 days); G9 – chemo‐mechanical preparation with no medication and G10 – no chemo‐mechanical preparation and no medication. Microbial samples were harvested immediately after removal of the intracanal dressing and 7 days later. Data were subjected to anova (P < 0.05).
Results All medicaments were associated with a reduction in E. faecalis after removal of the dressing (post‐medication harvest). However, all specimens were associated with an increase in CFU mL−1 values after 7 days (final harvest). Calen/CMCP and Calen/CHX had the lowest CFU mL−1 values (P < 0.05).
Conclusion In this laboratory study using extracted teeth all calcium hydroxide‐based medicaments were able to significantly reduce the CFU mL−1 values of E. faecalis in the root canal system.