Endodontic Resident Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine Alton, Illinois, United States
Endodontic biofilms are polymicrobial in nature. Effective disruption of endodontic biofilm structure and elimination of bacteria during root canal disinfection remains a challenge. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of copper added chitosan nanoparticles (CuCNPs) as an irrigant against multispecies biofilm comprising of E. faecalis, S.anginosus, and A. viscosus. 30 extracted human single rooted teeth were vertically sectioned buccolingually into two halves to prepare dentin sections. Dentin sections were inoculated with E. faecalis, S. anginosus, and A. viscosus for four weeks to establish multispecies biofilm. Incubated sections were randomly divided into four groups: saline (control), 3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs), copper-added chitosan nanoparticles (CuCNPs). The infected sections were exposed to saline, 3% NaOCl, CNPs, CuCNPs solution for 15 minutes. Disinfected sections were stained with LIVE/DEAD baclight bacterial viability kit and scanned with confocal laser scanning microscope. Data was analyzed and quantified by Image J software to determine proportion of dead bacteria. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn's test. Greater proportion of dead cells resulted in samples treated with CuCNPs (65%) followed by 3% NaOCl (63%), CNPs (42%), and saline (13%). There was no statistically significant difference between CNP, CuCNP, and 3% NaOCl group. This study highlighted the potential of copper added chitosan nanoparticles to eliminate multispecies biofilm during root canal disinfection. Effectiveness of CuCNPs should further be evaluated as an adjunct irrigant and as an intracanal medicament.
