An in vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of three root canal sealers

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Background: The antimicrobial agents are added to root canal sealers to improve their antibacterial effect. The
purpose of this study was to evaluate three root canal sealers (DORIFILL, ENDOFILL, APEXIT PLUS) for their antimicrobial
effect by using the agar diffusion test (ADT).
Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial effect of three root canal sealers was tested by the agar diffusion test.
Fifteen petriplates . Five cavities , each one measuring 5ml in diameter and 4ml in depth ,were made in each agar
plates using cork poorer and then completely filled with the products to be tested. All plates were incubated for 72
hours at 37°C under aerobic conditions, and zones of inhibition were measured .Statistical analysis was conducted
using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), P value equal or greater than 0.05 was considered as a statistically
non significant, P value equal or greater than 0.01 and less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant, were
as P less than 0.01 was considered as statistically highly significant.
Results: All of the sealers caused bacterial growth inhibition. Their effectiveness, in descending order of antimicrobial
activity, was as follows: ENDOFILL DEXAMETHASONE, DORIFILL, APEXIT PLUS.
The sustaining period of the antimicrobial action of all types of sealers used in this study was 24 hrs only. No
antimicrobial activity was seen after 72 hrs.
Conclusions: Root canal sealers showed different inhibitory effects depending on their types and the bacterial strains
tested. Root canal sealers containing Dexamethasone and eugenol proved to be effective against the
microorganisms studied.
Keywords: Antimicrobial activity, endodontic treatment, roots canal sealers. J Bagh Coll Dentistry 2009; 21(2):28-31)