Comparison of Antibacterial Effect of Calcium Hydroxide Combined With Chlorhexidine and Povidone-Iodine Against in Dentinal Tubules of Human Incisors: An Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

It has been found that the microorganism behind the failure of root-filled teeth is , which shows resistance to most of the intra-canal medicaments. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of three intra-canal medications-calcium hydroxide with saline, combinations of calcium hydroxide with 2% chlorhexidine (CHX), and calcium hydroxide with 5% povidone-iodine-against in dentinal tubules of human incisors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty permanent maxillary central incisors were made into standardized segments and infected with . They were treated with a paste made of calcium hydroxide and 2% CHX, calcium hydroxide and 5% povidone-iodine, and calcium hydroxide and saline for 1 week. Dentinal shavings collected from the canal were suspended in thioglycollate broth solution and spread on brain heart infusion agar. Colony-forming units (CFUs) were enumerated and the CFU per milligram of dentin was calculated. The pH of the medicaments used was measured with the help of pH meter.

RESULTS

The results showed that the paste made from calcium hydroxide and 2% CHX was significantly more effective than that made from calcium hydroxide and povidone-iodine, and calcium hydroxide and saline. The addition of CHX or povidone-iodine did not affect the alkalinity of calcium hydroxide.

CONCLUSION

This study concludes that Ca(OH) + 2% CHX are effective against . Combinations of calcium hydroxide and 5% povidone-iodine showed better antibacterial effect than calcium hydroxide and saline. Ca(OH) + saline was ineffective against .