Background: Decontamination of gutta percha cones was important factor for success of root canal treatment. The
aim of the present in vitro study was to identify and to compare the antimicrobial effect of following disinfection
solutions: 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate, Iodine, tetracycline hydrochloride solution, EDTA & formocresol mixed with
zinc oxide eugenol, on E faecalis, E coli and Candida albicans using sensitivity test
Materials and Methods: Three types of microorganisms were isolated from infected root canals (E faecalis, E coli and
Candida albicans) and cultured on Mueller Hinton agar petri-dishes. Disinfection of gutta percha cones done by
immersion in six disinfection solutions (six groups), the groups are: distill water (used as control group), 0.2%
chlorhexidine gluconate, Iodine, tetracycline hydrochloride solution, EDTA & formocresol mixed with Zinc oxide
eugenol. The immersion times were 5 min. and the incubation was aerobically at 37 °C for 24 hr. for bacterial species
and at 28°C for 48 hr. for candida albicans. After incubation, zones of inhibition (no growth of bacteria) were
examined around the gutta percha cones & diameters of the zones were measured with a boley gauge. The means
of inhibition zones for each group were measures and statistically analyzed among groups using ANOVA and LSD
tests at 0.05 significance level.
Results: There is highly significant differences (P=0.000) among all the tested groups. 0.2% Chlorhexidine gluconate
showed the maximum antibacterial efficacy (broader zones of inhibition) against E faecalis. Compound of
formocresol + Zinc oxide eugenol showed the maximum antibacterial efficacy against Candida albicans, and E coli.
The minimum antibacterial efficacy against Candida albicans occurred with tetracycline group, while against E
faecalis and E coli occurred with EDTA group
Conclusion: All the tested materials had antibacterial efficacy against Candida albicans, E faecalis and E coli; but
chlorhexidine gluconate and compound of formocresol & Zinc oxide eugenol, are more effective agents for a rapid
disinfection of gutta-percha cones in five minutes |