In Vitro Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Calcium Hydroxide with Aqueous Vehicles in Dental Treatment

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the in vitro antimicrobial activity of calcium hydroxide associated with aqueous vehicles against aerobes and facultative anaerobic microorganisms commonly isolated from infected root canals.

Study Design: Experimental Study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology, University of Karachi from Sept. 2007 to March 2009.

Materials and Methods: The microbial strains were evaluated against calcium hydroxide pastes prepared with calcium hydroxide powder mixed with aqueous vehicles. Antimicrobial activity of the vehicles was also evaluated. For such purpose agar diffusion and broth dilution method was used.

Results: The results showed that calcium hydroxide mixed with aqueous vehicles was inhibitory against all the microbial strain tested. Calcium hydroxide pastes also eliminated the Enterococcus faecalis (the most resistant organisms in infected root canals) effectively. The results are statistically significant when calcium hydroxide was mixed with aqueous vehicles (p<0.05).

Conclusion: We concluded from our study that aqueous vehicles play a very important role in eliminating the endodontic bacteria particularly Enterococcus faecalis which is very challenging for the endodontists while treating the patient.