A Comparative Evaluation of Antibacterial Efficacy of Leaf Extract, Octenidine Dihydrochloride, and Sodium Hypochlorite as Intracanal Irrigants against : An In Vitro Study.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to investigate and compare the microbial efficacy of leaf extract, octenidine dihydrochloride (OCT), NaOCl, and their combinations as intracanal irrigants against .

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty single-rooted mandibular premolars were decoronated followed by root canal preparation. Each root specimen was autoclaved, inoculated with , and incubated at 37°C for 48 hr. Then, the specimens were divided into six groups based on the irrigation solution used: 2.5% NaOCl (Group 1), 0.1% OCT (Group 2), leaves extract (Group 3), a combination of extract and 1.25% NaOCl (Group 4), a combination of extract and OCT (Group 5) and normal saline (Group 6). Microbial samples were taken from each root canal before (S1) and after (S2) irrigation and the bacterial viability was assessed using colony-forming units (CFU) on bile esculin agar plates.

RESULTS

Comparing the number of CFU/ml before and after irrigation showed a significant reduction ( < 0.001) in all studied groups. Comparison between the CFU/ml after irrigation by NaOCl and each of the combination groups showed a significant difference.

CONCLUSION

leaves extract and 0.1% OCT solutions have antibacterial effect against comparable to 2.5% NaOCl and might be used as root canal irrigants. The combination groups showed better antimicrobial activities than individual irrigants. However, further studies are required to investigate the biocompatibility and possible toxic effects of the tested irrigants.