Prevention of the ingress of a known virulent bacterium into the root canal system by intracanal medications

• Published in: Journal of endodontics Vol. 27; no. 11; p. 657
• Main Authors: Roach, R P, Hatton, J F, Gillespie, M J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-11-2001
• Subjects: Analysis of Variance; Anti-Infective Agents, Local - administration & dosage; Anti-Infective Agents, Local - therapeutic use; Calcium Hydroxide - administration & dosage; Calcium Hydroxide - therapeutic use; Camphor - administration & dosage; Camphor - therapeutic use; Chlorhexidine - administration & dosage; Chlorhexidine - analogs & derivatives; Chlorhexidine - therapeutic use; Chlorophenols - administration & dosage; Chlorophenols - therapeutic use; Dental Pulp Cavity - microbiology; Dental Restoration, Temporary; Drug Combinations; Enterococcus faecalis - drug effects; Gels; Humans; Methylcellulose - administration & dosage; Methylcellulose - therapeutic use; Ointments; Root Canal Irrigants - therapeutic use; Root Canal Preparation - methods; Root Canal Therapy; Statistics as Topic; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0099-2399
• DOI: 10.1097/00004770-200111000-00001

Contamination of the root canal system by persistent, enteric bacteria via leakage through interim restorations has been well documented. This in vitro study evaluated the ability of interappointment medications to prevent contamination of the root canal system by Enterococcus faecalis. Coronally unsealed, medicated tooth roots fixed in a closed system were contaminated daily with a standardized, aerobic, broth culture of E. faecalis. Four medications were evaluated (n = 15): group A, calcium hydroxide/methylcellulose paste; group B, camphorated parachlorophenol/calcium hydroxide paste; group C, 1% chlorhexidine/methylcellulose gel; and group D, calcium hydroxide points. The mean number of days to contamination as indicated by turbidity in the closed system was the following: group A, 37; group B, 46; group C, 16; group D, 5; and a positive control (no medication), 3. A one-way analysis of variance with a Scheffe post hoc test (p = 0.05) detected significant differences in effectiveness with A and B superior to C and D, and C superior to D.