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. 2021 Jul;15(3):546-550.
doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1723067. Epub 2021 Mar 10.

Bactericidal Effect of a Novel Alkaline EDTA Root Canal Cleaning Solution

Takenori Sato  1 , Ryuji Fujimaki  2 , Jiro Suzuki  2 , Nobushiro Hamada  3 , Nobuyuki Tani-Ishii  2 , Keisuke Handa  1
Affiliations

Bactericidal Effect of a Novel Alkaline EDTA Root Canal Cleaning Solution

Takenori Sato et al. Eur J Dent. 2021 Jul.

Abstract

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the bactericidal effect and cytotoxicity of an ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA)-based root canal irrigant solution capable of efficiently removing both the organic matter and the smear layer. We prepared a strong alkaline EDTA (AE) solution with an acid buffer capacity similar to that of sodium hypochlorite.

Materials and methods: AE was used at concentrations of 1%, 2%, and 3%. The bactericidal effect of AE on Enterococcus faecalis was evaluated by determining the colony number and biofilm removal rate. Biofilms were visualized using a Live/Dead BacLight bacterial viability kit. Viability of AE-treated cells were determined using a CCK-8 cell counting assay.

Statistical analysis: One-way analysis of variance followed by a Dunnett's multiple comparison test were used for comparisons among groups.

Results: Significant reduction in cell viability and biofilm formation were observed in case of 3% and 2% AE. AE exerted bactericidal effects in a concentration-dependent manner. Damage of normal human fibroblasts was not observed at any of the AE concentrations.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that the AE solution could be used as an effective canal irrigant for the removal of bacterial biofilm.

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Conflict of interest statement

None declared.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Bactericidal effect of alkaline ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA) (AE). The number of viable bacteria after treatment with different concentrations of AE. *: p < 0.05, **: p < 0.01.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Removal of E. faecalis biofilm. The percentage of biofilm removal after treatment with different concentrations of alkaline ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA) (AE). ** p <0.01
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Fluorescence microscopic images of E. faecalis biofilm stained using crystal violet (CV). The viable (green) and dead (red) bacteria are clearly visible. A,G; phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), B,H; 3% Smear clean (SC), C,I; 3% Antiformin (AF), D,J; 3% alkaline ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA) (AE), E,K; 2% AE, F,L; 1% AE, Bars: 10 µm. (bar; x100).
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Proliferation of cells treated with alkaline ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA) (AE). The survival rate of human gingival fibroblast cells treated with AE.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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