Oral Health and Dental Management

Abstract

Comparative Evaluation of Bactericidal Effects on Enterococcus faecalis Using Diode Laser Irradiation, Sodium Hypochlorite and Chlorhexidine Gluconate Irrigation”- an In vitro Study

Krishna R. Shetty, Mithra N. Hegde, Shishir Shetty and A. Veenna Shetty

Aim: This in vitro study was performed to evaluate the bactericidal effects of Diode laser, 3% Sodium hypochlorite and 2% Chlorhexidine gluconate irrigation on root canals infected with Enterococcus faecalis. Method: Seventy single rooted central incisors were prepared and sixty was contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis. After 48 hours of incubation samples were divided into 7 groups-Group 1- Sterility control (canals not contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis ); Group 2- Positive control canals with no other treatment; Group 3- canals were treated with 3% NaOCl during biomechanical preparation; Group 4- canals were treated with 2% CHX; Group 5- canals were treated with 980nm diode laser; Group 6- was treated with combination of laser and 3% NaOCl; Group 7- were treated with laser and 2% CHX, the CFU of all the groups were checked. Result: Group 3 and 6 were significantly effective as there was no growth of E. faecalis (p=<0.001), group 7 was significantly more effective than group 2 (p=<0.001). There was no statistical significance between group 7 and group 3 and 6 (p=0. 474), the maximum amount of growth was seen in group 4. Conclusion: 3% NaOCl was the most effective irritant comparatively and combination of 2% CHX and laser was as effective as 3% NaOCl and hence can be used as an alternative for 3% NaOCl.