title: The antimicrobial effectiveness of 25% propolis extract in root canal irrigation of primary teeth.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The choice of irrigating solution used in root canals of primary teeth is complicated by their complex morphology and paucity of associated literature. Propolis is a natural product that has gained interest in this context due to its antibacterial effectiveness against several endodontic pathogens.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study was undertaken to assess the potential of water-soluble 25% propolis extract against microorganisms present in root canals of primary teeth during endodontic procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  The child patients in the age group of 4-7 years with radiographic evidence of carious pulp exposure were included in the study. Definitive selection was done after gaining access into the pulp chamber and root canals of the selected teeth. The clinical and radiographic evidence of pathosis was ruled out for inclusion in the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The selected teeth were divided into two groups randomly. In Group A 0.9% isotonic saline and in Group B 25% extract water-soluble propolis were used as irrigating solution, respectively. The bacterial samples were collected both pre- and post-irrigation and were transferred for microbial assay. STAISTISTICAL ANALYSIS: Wilcoxon matched signed rank test was used to compare the pre-and post-irrigation bacterial counts. Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the mean change (pre-post) in bacterial colony counts of groups in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Antimicrobial effectiveness of 25% water-soluble extract of propolis in the root canals of primary teeth was confirmed in the present study. The reduction in the mean bacterial colony counts of all the isolated bacteria was noticed higher in Group B than Group A.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the present study have confirmed that the antibacterial effectiveness of water-soluble extract of propolis in the root canals of primary teeth in vivo. Considering the low toxicity concerns and antibacterial effectiveness, water-soluble extract of 25% propolis can be advocated as a root canal irrigant in endodontic treatment of primary teeth.
authors.forename: Manjesh Kumar
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric with Preventive Dentistry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Ramesh Kumar
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Pandey
authors.forename: Richa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Khanna
authors.forename: Jyotsna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Agarwal
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D011429:Propolis; D012390:Root Canal Therapy; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D011429:Propolis