title: Antimicrobial effectiveness of different preparations of calcium hydroxide.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intracanal medicaments have an antibacterial effect on the root canal flora. The effectiveness of such vehicles has to be tested and substantiated against the normal bacterial flora. The various vehicles that were tested for their effectiveness were commercially prepared calcium hydroxide (Metapex), saline, glycerine, CMCP, and Rexidine-M gel. The bacterial cultures tested for sensitivity were aerobes (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus viridans, Streptococcus pyogens, Enterococcus faecalis), anaerobes (Lactobacillus, Bacteroides melaninogenicus) and a commonly found fungus (Candida albicans). One hundred and twenty-five samples were divided into five experimental groups consisting of 21 samples each and one control group of the same size.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro the influence of four different vehicles on the effectiveness of calcium hydroxide against the commonly found aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in endodontic infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  The samples were taken and transported using standardized techniques and pure growth of each bacterium was isolated. Petri dishes were prepared for the various calcium hydroxide combinations for each bacterium and incubated. The inhibition zone was recorded at three intervals of 24, 96 and 168 hours. Results were tabulated and sent for statistical analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was seen that calcium hydroxide and CMCP combination showed the maximum zone of inhibition, and maximum inhibitory effect was seen at 24 hours. The bacteria most susceptible was found to be S. aureus and the least susceptible was E. faecalis. Further clinical studies are required to substantiate these results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India. gangwareshita@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: Anshul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gangwar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects*; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002164:Camphor; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D002733:Chlorophenols; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012827:Silicone Oils
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002733:Chlorophenols; D004338:Drug Combinations; C498115:Metapex; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D012827:Silicone Oils; D002164:Camphor; C029804:camphorated parachlorophenol; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide