title: Comparative Assessment of Antimicrobial Efficacy of Different Antibiotic Coated Gutta-Percha Cones onEnterococcus faecalisAn Invitro Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The major goal of endodontic treatment is to eliminate bacteria from the root canals and prevent re-infection.Enterococcus faecalis(E.faecalis) has been attributed to be the most common organism for the endodontic treatment failures. The choice of endodontic material that have high antimicrobial efficacy can help in decreasing/avoiding growth of micro-organisms and facilitate the success rate of treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study was designed with an aim to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of antibiotic coated gutta-percha cones onE. faecalis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study was an invitro experimental study, conducted at Department of Public Health Densitry and Department of Microbiology. Gutta-percha cones were coated with different medicaments like Zinc Oxide-Eugenol cement (ZOE i.e. Group A), ZOE plus Amoxicillin-Clavulanic acid combination (Group B), ZOE plus Amoxicillin (Group C), ZOE plus Ofloxacin-Ornidazole combination (Group D). Agar plates were inoculated withE. faecalisand antibiotic coated gutta-percha cones along with conventional gutta-percha cones (coated only with ZOE) were placed in those agar plates. After 24hours incubation; diameter of zone of inhibition around gutta-percha stick was considered to assess the antimicrobial activity. Results were statistically analysed with analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey post-hoc test for group-wise comparisons.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean diameter of zone of inhibition (in mm) obtained for Group A, Group B, Group C and Group D were 5±0.03, 26.6±0.05, 21.5±0.04 and 15.8±0.03 respectively. The difference in values of different antibiotics was statistically significant. The p-value < 0.001 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Group B was most effective againstE.faecaliscompared to other combinations used which increase the success rate of endodontic treatment as compared to conventional gutta-percha cones.
authors: Postgraduate Student, Department of Public Health Dentistry, ACPM Dental College , Dhule, Maharashtra, India .
authors: Vardhaman Mulchand
authors: VM
authors: Jain
authors: Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, ACPM Dental College , Dhule, Maharashtra, India .
authors: Gundabaktha Nagappa
authors: GN
authors: Karibasappa
authors: Principal, Professor and Head of Department, Department of Public Health Dentistry, ACPM Dental College , Dhule, Maharashtra, India .
authors: Arun Suresh
authors: AS
authors: Dodamani
authors: Reader, Department of Public Health Dentistry, ACPM Dental College , Dhule, Maharashtra, India .
authors: Prashanth Kumar
authors: PK
authors: Vishwakarma
authors: Postgraduate Student, Department of Public Health Dentistry, ACPM Dental College , Dhule, Maharashtra, India .
authors: Gaurao Vasant
authors: GV
authors: Mali
keywords: Amoxicillin; Clavulanic acid; Ofloxacin-ornidazole combination; Zinc oxide eugenol