Antimicrobial effects of various endodontic irrigants on selected microorganisms.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to determine the antimicrobial effect of various endodontic irrigants against six selected microorganisms.


METHODS
Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus salivarius, Str. pyogenes, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans were included in the study. Pre-sterilized Whatman paper discs, 6 mm in diameter and soaked with the test solution, were prepared and placed onto the previously seeded agar Petri plates. Each plate was incubated aerobically. A zone of inhibition was recorded for each plate and the results were analysed statistically.


RESULTS
5.25% NaOCl was effective against all test microorganisms with a substantial zone of inhibition. Saline was always ineffective. Decreased concentration of NaOCl significantly reduced its antimicrobial effect. Cresophene showed a significantly larger (P < 0.05) average zone of inhibition compared to the other experimental irrigants. Alcohol had smaller but not significantly different zones of inhibition than chlorhexidine.


CONCLUSIONS
5.25% NaOCl was superior in its antimicrobial abilities compared with other irrigants used. A reduced concentration of NaOCl (0.5%) resulted in significantly decreased antimicrobial effects. When compared with 21% alcohol, 0.5% NaOCl and 2% chlorhexidine, paramonochlorophenol (cresophene) showed a greater antimicrobial effect.
Ayhan
H
H
Department of Pedodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Gazi, Ankara, Turkey.
Sultan
N
N
Cirak
M
M
Ruhi
M Z
MZ
Bodur
H
H
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D002733:Chlorophenols / Q000494:pharmacology; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000187:drug effects; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000494:pharmacology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000187:drug effects
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002733:Chlorophenols; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; C029107:4-chlorophenol; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine