title: In vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of calcium hydroxide combined with chlorhexidine gel used as intracanal medicament.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) combined with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) gel against endodontic pathogens and to compare the results with the ones achieved by Ca(OH)2 mixed with sterile water and by CHX gel alone. Two methods were used: the agar diffusion test and the direct contact test. Ca(OH)2 + 2% CHX gel produced inhibitory zones ranging from 2.84 to 6.5 mm, and required from 30 seconds to 6 hours to eliminate all tested microorganisms. However, 2% CHX gel showed the largest microbial growth zones from 4.33 to 21.67 mm, and required 1 minute or less to inhibit all tested microorganisms. A paste of Ca(OH)2 plus sterile water inhibited only the microorganisms with which it was in direct contact and required from 30 seconds to 24 hours to kill all tested microorganisms. In conclusion, 2% CHX gel + Ca(OH)2 showed better antimicrobial activity than Ca(OH)2 manipulated with sterile water.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. bpgomes@fop.unicamp.br
authors.forename: Brenda Paula Figueiredo de Almeida
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Morgana Eli
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Vianna
authors.forename: Neylla Teixeira
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Sena
authors.forename: Alexandre Augusto
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Zaia
authors.forename: Caio Cezar Randi
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Ferraz
authors.forename: Francisco José
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: de Souza Filho
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000382:microbiology; D004338:Drug Combinations; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000187:drug effects; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D045202:Porphyromonas endodontalis / Q000187:drug effects; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000187:drug effects; D018713:Prevotella intermedia / Q000187:drug effects; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D004338:Drug Combinations; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide; D002710:Chlorhexidine