Sanjeev Chauhan, Tanuj Singh

ABSTRACT

Background The successful endodontic treatment in infected teeth depends on the elimination of the microbial load by the chemomechanical preparation of the root canals. Enterococcus faecalis is Gram-positive bacterium that can mostly resist endodontic therapy and has been frequently found in root canal-treated teeth with signs of chronic apical periodontitis. Hence; the present study was conducted for assessing and comparing the antimicrobial efficacy of calcium hydroxide based sealer and mineral trioxide aggregate based sealer against E. faecalis. Materials & Methods Two type of sealers were used in the present study; Calcium hydroxide based (Sealapex), and Mineral trioxide aggregate based (MTA Fillapex) against E. faecalis. In agar plates, two wells were made at equidistant points and filled with freshly mixed respective root canal sealers. This was followed by incubation with E. faecalis. Subculture of the microorganisms was done for confirming their purity. On two petri dishes, aliquots of the suspension containing E. faecalis were spread. This was followed by incubation of the media at thirty seven degrees centigrade for 72 hours under aerobic condition. Measurement of zone of inhibition was done at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours. Measurement of the diameter of the growth inhibition zones was measured. Results Mean diameter of calcium based sealers at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours was found to be 15.1 mm, 21.9 mm and 12.1 mm respectively. Mean diameter of MTA based sealers at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours was found to be 7.5 mm, 5.1 mm and 0 mm respectively. Significant results were obtained while assessing the individual activity of Calcium hydroxide based sealer and Mineral trioxide aggregate based sealer against E. faecalis. Conclusion Maximum bacterial inhibition zone against E. faecalis is seen with calcium hydroxide-based sealer in comparison to MTA based sealer. However; further studies are recommended.