title: Evaluation of Morinda citrifolia as an endodontic irrigant.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare the in vitro effectiveness of Morinda citrifolia juice (MCJ) with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) to remove the smear layer from the canal walls of endodontically instrumented teeth. Sixty extracted, single-rooted, mature, permanent, human premolar teeth with a single canal were inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis at 37 degrees C in a CO2 atmosphere for 30 days. The teeth were randomly allocated to 6 treatment groups; the pulp chamber was accessed, cleaned, and shaped by using ProTaper and ProFile rotary instrumentation to a size 35. During instrumentation the irrigation was provided by MCJ, NaOCl, CHX, MCJ/CHX, followed by a final flush of 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). MCJ irrigation was also followed by a final flush of saline, and saline irrigation was also used as a negative control. The teeth were then processed for scanning electron microscopy, and the removal of smear layer was examined. Data were analyzed by chi2 statistical tests (P values) at a significance of 95%. The most effective removal of smear layer occurred with MCJ and NaOCl, both with a rinse of 17% EDTA. Both MCJ and NaOCl treatments were similarly effective with a rinse of 17% EDTA (P < .2471) to completely remove up to 80% of the smear layer from some aspects of the root canal. MCJ was more effective than CHX for removing smear layer (P < .0085) and saline as the negative control (P < .0001). The efficacy of MJC was similar to NaOCl in conjunction with EDTA as an intracanal irrigant. MJC appears to be the first fruit juice to be identified as a possible alternative to the use of NaOCl as an intracanal irrigant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328-2018, USA. petemurr@nova.edu
authors.forename: Peter E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: Romi M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Farber
authors.forename: Kenneth N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Namerow
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kuttler
authors.forename: Franklin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Garcia-Godoy
mesh_terms: D001641:Bicuspid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D032066:Morinda / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D016369:Smear Layer; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine