Chair, Dept of Endodontics West Virginia University MORGANTOWN, West Virginia, United States
When completing endodontic therapy irrigants are used as a part of chemomechanical preparation before obturation of the canal. The chemicals are used to neutralize bacterial products and toxins, ensuring the canal is disinfected. The purpose of this research was to determine the number of E. faecalis that remained alive after being exposed to endodontic irrigants for 30 seconds. E. faecalis was propagated according to the product sheet and grown to a concentration of 107 cfu/mL. The irrigants (Clorox, Vashe, and Triton) were prepared to three different concentrations (25%, 50%, and 100%). 200 ml of bacteria was placed into and grown in a 96 well hydroxyapatite coated peg plate. The pegs with bacteria were exposed to the irrigants and then a neutralizing solution to prevent further bacterial death. The bacteria were then removed from the pegs and the number of live bacteria remaining was determined. Results revealed there is a significant difference in bacteria/ml values between all the irrigants (except Clorox at 25%) and the positive control. The results showed a p-value of p=0.0002, which indicates that there is at least one significant difference in bacteria/ml values among one of the three endodontic irrigants and the positive control. The results of the investigation showed that all irrigants (Clorox, Vashe, and Triton) possessed antibacterial properties against E. faecalis. Although all irrigants were effective against E. faecalis, Clorox at 25% concentration did not demonstrate a significant reduction in bacterial growth when compared to the control.
