title: Comparison of Antifungal Activity of 2% Chlorhexidine, Calcium Hydroxide, and Nanosilver gels against Candida Albicans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Residual microorganisms in the root canal system (RCS) after endodontic therapy such as Candida albicans are a major cause of endodontic failure. Calcium hydroxide (CH) and chlorhexidine (CHX) have suitable antimicrobial activity against bacteria and can be used as intracanal medicaments. Nanosilver has also shown antimicrobial activity against microorganisms. This study aimed to compare the antifungal effect of calcium hydroxide, 2% chlorhexidine and nanosilver gels on Candida albicans.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-one single-rooted teeth were selected. After root canal preparation, the teeth were contaminated. After culture, the teeth were randomly divided into 4 groups. In experimental groups, 24 teeth were selected and completely filled with CH, 2% CHX and nanosilver gels in each group. Nine teeth were selected in the control group and filled with saline solution. After 1, 3, and 7 days, samples were obtained by #30 sterile paper points, and #2 and #4 Gates Glidden drills and cultured on solid Sabouraud agar.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results demonstrated that CH and 2% CHX had equal antifungal effects on samples taken by paper point and #2 Gates Glidden drill at all time points. Both CH and 2% CHX were more effective than nanosilver at all time periods. There was no statistically significant difference between medicaments in samples taken by #4 Gates Glidden drill.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CH and 2% CHX gels have significantly higher antifungal activity than nanosilver gel. Also, CH and 2% CHX gels are equally effective against Candida albicans.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Iranian Center for Endodontic Research, Department of Endodontics, Dental School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mozayeni
authors.affiliation: Dentist, Private Practice, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hadian
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Student, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Dental School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Pedram
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bakhshaei
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Iranian Center for Endodontic Research, Department of Endodontics, Dental School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Omid
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Dianat
keywords: Calcium hydroxide; Candida albicans; Chlorhexidine