Sami Chogle

Antimicrobial activity of endodontic sealers on Enterococcus faecalis.

Enterococcus faecalis has been shown to be highly resistant once established in the root canal system and may play an important role in endodontic failures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of four root canal sealers on E. faecalis. Seventeen blood-agar plates were inoculated with E. faecalis using the Lawn technique. Five discs were placed on each plate, four with sealers--Sealapex, Roth 811, Kerr EWT, and AH-Plus--and an ampicillin disc as the control. The plates were incubated at 37 degrees C. The zones of inhibition were measured at 24 and 48 h. Analysis using a one-way ANOVA and Tukey test showed a statistically significance difference (p < 0.05) between all four groups of sealers. Roth 811 showed the largest zone of inhibition (1.1 mm), followed by Sealapex (0.8 mm) and Kerr EWT (0.5 mm), whereas AH-Plus had no antimicrobial activity. There was no difference in the zones of inhibition between the 24- and 48-h time periods.

Effectiveness of Selected Materials Against Enterococcus faecalis: Part 3. The Antibacterial Effect of Calcium Hydroxide and Chlorhexidine on Enterococcus faecalis

It has been found that Enterococcus faecalis is most commonly isolated in failed endodontic treatment. Irrigation with chlorhexidine gluconate has been suggested based on its antimicrobial effect and substantivity. Calcium hydroxide also is an effective antimicrobial agent because of its high alkalinity. The purpose of this study was to test the individual and combined effect of calcium hydroxide and chlorhexidine against E. faecalis. The agar-diffusion test was performed on Mueller-Hinton plates. Paper disks were impregnated with: (a) CaOH powder with sterile water; (b) Pulpdent; (c) 0.12% Peridex; (d) CaOH powder with Peridex; and (e) Pulpdent with Peridex. Ampicillin served as a control. The plates were incubated at 37 degrees C for 72 h. Peridex showed significantly larger zones of inhibition compared with CaOH. No statistically significant difference was found between Peridex and the combination of CaOH and Peridex.

Effectiveness of Stannous Fluoride and Calcium Hydroxide Against Enterococcus faecalis

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of stannous fluoride, calcium hydroxide, or the two in combination against Enterococcus faecalis. Fifteen Mueller-Hinton agar plates were used to conduct a disc diffusion susceptibility test. The plates were inoculated with E. faecalis. The groups tested were: (a) stannous fluoride (Stanimax); (b) calcium hydroxide; and (c) a combination of stannous fluoride and calcium hydroxide. Three filter paper discs, each soaked with one of the groups, were placed along with an antibiotic control (ampicillin) on each agar plate. The plates were then incubated at 37 degrees C. The zones of inhibition were measured at 24 and 48 h. One-way ANOVA revealed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between the three groups. Stannous fluoride displayed the widest zone (1.7 mm), followed by the combination of stannous fluoride and calcium hydroxide (1.1 mm), whereas calcium hydroxide by itself displayed a minimal zone of inhibition (0.05 mm).

An In Vitro Evaluation of the Antibacterial Properties of Barriers Used in Guided Tissue Regeneration

The inhibition of growth of Prevotella nigrescens and Enterococcus faecalis by three barriers membrane, (a) polylactic acid (Atrisorb), (b) laminar bone, and (c) calcium sulfate, was compared using an agar diffusion test. The first group of 20 plates were inoculated with P. nigrescens in a prereduced anaerobically-sterilized brain-heart infusion broth, while the second group of 20 plates were inoculated with E. faecalis in a brain-heart infusion broth. On each plate, a 5.0-mm section of each barrier was placed such that every plate had all three barriers. The plates in the P. nigrescens group were incubated in an anaerobic chamber for 7 days. The plates in the E. faecalis group were incubated at 37 degrees C for 2 days. No zones of inhibition were observed with laminar bone or calcium sulfate. Zones of inhibition were observed with the Atrisorb barrier membrane in both groups. The zone of inhibition of P. nigrescens was significantly greater than the zone of inhibition of E. faecalis. The hydrophobicity of Atrisorb and its N-methyl-2-pyrolidine component were suggested as the sources of its antibacterial activity.

Medical and Orofacial Considerations in Traumatic Dental Injuries

A complete medical and dental evaluation is imperative following traumatic dental injuries, which are emergent situations that need a quick assessment and appropriate management. The proper diagnosis and treatment rendered determines the prognosis of the case. Proper documentation is important for medicolegal reasons and for baseline reference regarding the traumatic injury. Future treatment modalities and outcomes can be better managed with accurate documentation at the initial assessment.