Comparative Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficacy of Calcium Hydroxide and Chlorhexidine Gutta Percha Points Against E. faecalis and S. mutans - An In Vitro Study

Aim: To determine the antibacterial effectiveness of calcium hydroxide and chlorhexidine gutta-percha points against Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus mutans Materials and methods: Eighteen extracted single-rooted human teeth were selected. After decoronation, root canals were prepared by using k files (Mani, Inc, Japan) up to master apical file size of forty. Following autoclave sterilization of these specimens, root canals were incubated at 37°C with E. faecalis and S. mutans for 24 hrs. Specimens were tested by inserting calcium hydroxid(Coltene/WhaledentInc.Germany), chlorhexidine (Roekoactivpoint, Germany) and conventional gutta-percha points (Endomax Guttapercha Points, Dento One Inc) for 1 hr, 3 hrs and 6 hrs respectively. Dentin chips collected after incubation were inoculated into agar plates and following an overnight incubation the colonies grown on agar plates were counted and interpreted as colony forming units. Results were tested statistically by using Friedman test for intragroup comparison at various time periods. One way Anova for intergroup comparison at different time periods. Overall two way Anova for comparison between the groups and the bacteria. Results: When compared with conventional gutta percha points, calcium hydroxide and chlorhexidine gutta-percha points showed significantly lower colony forming units against E. faecalis and S. mutans Conclusion: Chlorhexidine gutta percha points were more effective against E. faecalis and S. mutans than calcium hydroxide and conventional gutta-percha points.