Cumulative Impacts of Endodontic Procedures on Enterococcus Faecalis: An In Vitro Study

Objectives: Assessment of the cumulative impacts of endodontic procedures using novel BioAKT Endo root canal irrigant on Enterococcus faecalis in comparison with sodium hypochlorite irrigant.
Materials and Methods: Eighty single-rooted premolar teeth were collected for this study. The crowns were sectioned and the length of the roots was standardized to 15 mm. The roots were then initially cleaned, shaped, and inoculated with E. faecalis. The excess broth was removed by sterile paper points and then sample 1 (S1) was taken. The roots were divided into eight groups, groups 1-4 were instrumented and irrigated with BioAKT Endo root canal irrigant then sample 2 (S2) was taken. Groups 5-8 were instrumented and irrigated with 5.25% NaOCl. Standard laboratory methods were followed to determine the number of CFU for the tested organism. Data were collected and analyzed. A specimen from each group was randomly selected and investigated under an (SEM) to evaluate the bacterial contamination on the root canal walls initially and after the endodontic procedures.
Results: Marked bacterial reduction was detected in all groups after instrumentation and irrigation with BioAKT Endo or 5.25%NaOCl, however, NaOCl groups were superior to BioAKT Endo groups. The maximum bacterial reduction was achieved in group 5 followed by 7, 6, 8,1,3,2, and 4 in descending order. SEM evaluation confirmed the final microbial results.
Conclusions: BioAKT Endo is considered a novel irrigant material for root canals with a marked and promising anti-bacterial activity. Further in-vivo and in-vitro studies are required to investigate this class of endodontic irrigants.