Antibacterial Effect of various Concentrations of Sodium Hypochlorite and 2% Chlorhexidine combined with Proteolytic Enzyme against Enterococcus Faecalis Biofilm: An invitro study

Abstract

AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of various concentrations of sodium hypochlorite and Chlorhexidine combined with proteolytic enzyme in dentin - An invitro study. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the anti enterococcus faecalis efficacy using various concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (5.25%, 1% & 3%) and 2% Chlorhexidine combined with Trypsin, a proteolytic enzyme in root canal dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy five single rooted teeth were selected and the dentin specimens were prepared from the middle third of the root. Dentin specimens were immersed in peptone agar medium eppendorf tubes. Enterococcus faecalis strains were inoculated and cultured for 21 days at 370c. Then the dentin specimens were exposed to the experimental irrigants (5.25% Naocl, 3% Naocl + trypsin, 1%Naocl+trypsin, 2% chlorhexidine + trypsin, normal saline) and evaluated under confocal laser scanning microscope to determine the antibacterial efficacy of experimental irrigants. RESULTS: The results of the present study showed that all groups exhibited equal antibacterial effect except group 5:(Saline- negative control). There was no significant difference among groups 1,2,3,4.(P value > 0.05). Group 1, 2, 3, 4 showed significant difference when compared to Group 5 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference among the groups regarding antienterococcus faecalis activity except negative control. Based on the results of the present study, it can be concluded that the irrigation protocol with 1% trypsin followed by lower concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (1% & 3%) and 1% trypsin followed by 2% chlorhexidine showed equivalent antibacterial effect compared to 5.25% sodium hypochlorite. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of trypsin over the physical properties of root canal dentin