title: Comparison of Antibacterial Efficacy of Calcium Hydroxide Paste, 2% Chlorhexidine Gel and Turmeric Extract as an Intracanal Medicament and their Effect on Microhardness of Root Dentin: An in vitro Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate and compare the antibacterial efficacy of turmeric extract as an intracanal medicament against E. faecalis and its effect on the microhardness of root dentin in comparison with calcium hydroxide and 2% chlorhexidine gel.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and fourty dentin blocks were prepared from 70 extracted human single-rooted teeth and standardized. For antibacterial assessment, 120 blocks were infected for 21 days with E. faecalis (n = 24/group). Dentin blocks were treated with group I (Ca(OH)2), group II (2% chlorhexidine gel), group III (turmeric extract), group IV (saline) and group V (negative control). Dentin shavings were obtained in TSB at depth of 400 μm and plated to count CFUs at 24 hours, 3 and 7 days (n = 8/day). For microhardness assessment, eight samples of 2 mm thickness were prepared form four dentin blocks (n = 8/group). Following treatment with medicaments, microhardness test was performed at 24 hours, 3 and 7 days using Vickers hardness indentation machine at 400 μm from canal lumen.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete inhibition of E. faecalis was observed with group II, followed by 64% with group I and 54% with group III which was statistically highly significant (p < 0.001). Highest effect on microhardness of root dentin was shown by group I, followed by group II and no effect was seen with group III which was statistically highly significant (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Turmeric extract has substantial antibacterial activity with no effect on microhardness of root dentine and hence has a potential to be used as intracanal medicament if its antibacterial activity could be enhanced. How to cite this article: Prabhakar AR, Swapnil T, Savita H, Sugandhan S. Comparison of Antibacterial Efficacy of Calcium Hydroxide Paste, 2% Chlorhexidine Gel and Turmeric Extract as an Intracanal Medicament and their Effect on Microhardness of Root Dentin: An in vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2013;6(2):171-177.
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere-577004 Karnataka, India, e-mail: attiguppeprabhakar@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prabhakar
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, School of Dental Sciences, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences Deemed University, Karad, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Swapnil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Taur
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, School of Dental Sciences, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences Deemed University, Karad, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Savita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hadakar
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sugandhan
keywords: 2% Chlorhexidine gel; Ca(OH)2; Intracanal medicaments; Microhardness; Turmeric extract