title: Comparative evaluation of endodontic irrigants against Enterococcus faecalis biofilms.
abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of root canal irrigants against E. faecalis biofilms using a novel in vitro testing system. Biofilms grown in a flow cell system were submerged in test irrigants for either 1 or 5 minutes. Statistical analysis revealed a significant relationship between test agent and percentage kill of the biofilm bacteria (P < 0.05). No statistically significant relationship between time and percentage kill was found. The percentage kill of the biofilm bacteria was: 6% NaOCl (>99.99%), 1% NaOCl (99.78%), Smear Clear (78.06%), 2% chlorhexidine (60.49%), REDTA (26.99%), and BioPure MTAD (16.08%). Post-hoc analysis showed a significant difference between 1% and 6% NaOCl, and all other agents including Smear Clear, 2% chlorhexidine, REDTA, and BioPure MTAD (P < 0.05). Within the parameters of this study, both 1% NaOCl and 6% NaOCl were more efficient in eliminating E. faecalis biofilm than the other solutions tested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Baylor College of Dentistry, The Texas A&M University System Health Sciences Center, Dallas, Texas 75246, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Dunavant
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Regan
authors.forename: Gerald N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Glickman
authors.forename: Eric S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Solomon
authors.forename: Allen L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Honeyman
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000382:microbiology*; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D012388:Root Canal Irrigants