title: In vitro comparison of the effectiveness of chlorhexidine and two calcium hydroxide formulations on enterococcus faecalis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the effectiveness of three intracanal medicaments in disinfecting the root canal and dentin of experimentally infected human teeth with Enterococcus faecalis (EF).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred extracted human single-rooted teeth were used. After root canal preparation, teeth were mounted in epoxy resin. Following sterilization, the teeth were infected for 28 days with EF. Then root canals were filled with one of three different disinfectants: viscous 2% Chlorhexidine (CHX), calcium hydroxide paste (CH) or a mixture of CH and CHX (n=30 in each group). Antimicrobial assessments were performed at 1, 3 and 7 days (n=10 in each time period). Microbial samples were obtained from root canals before and after the experiment. Also dentin samples were examined. The data was analyzed using Two- Way ANOVA test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings showed that there was no difference between experimental groups at different time periods. The mixture of CH/CHX in 7 days was able to eliminate EF completely from root canal system. The most elimination of EF was from dentinal tubules.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the results of this in vitro study, viscous 2% CHX, mixture of CH with distilled water and 2% CHX are all effective disinfectants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Dental School, Dental Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Sharifian
authors.forename: Noushin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shokouhinejad
authors.forename: Marzieh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aligholi
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Emaneini
authors.forename: Arash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Katebi
authors.forename: Hadi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Assadian
keywords: Calcium Hydroxide; Chlorhexidine; Enterococcus Faecalis; Root Canal Medicaments