The Short-Term Antibacterial Activity of Three Selected Endodontic Sealers against Enterococcus faecalis Bacterial Culture

Abstract

(1) Background: Microorganisms originating from the microflora of the oral cavity are the main cause of the inflammatory diseases of the dental pulp and periapical periodontium, as well as the failure of endodontic treatment. The subsequent root canal treatment is not able to remove all the pathogens, and a small number of viable bacteria remain in the dentine tubules, which must be sealed by endodontic sealers. These sealers should have at least a bacteriostatic effect to prevent the remaining bacteria from reproducing. The aim of this study is to compare the short-term antibacterial activity of three endodontic sealers based on poly-epoxy resin, zinc oxide-eugenol and calcium silicate with a calcium hydroxide-based sealer. Calcium hydroxide is used as temporary intracanal medicament and, thus, should show significant antibacterial activity. (2) Methods: A total of 25 bovine dentine samples infected with Enterococcus faecalis were used in this study. After the sealer placement and a 24 h incubation period, the root canal walls were scraped, and the suspension of dentine fillings was used for a semi-quantitative evaluation of microbial growth. (3) Results: The poly-epoxide resin-based sealer ADSeal™ showed significant antibacterial properties. (4) Conclusions: The highest antibacterial activity was shown in poly-epoxide resin-based sealer group, followed by the zinc oxide-eugenol-based sealer and calcium silicate-based sealer.

Keywords: antibacterial; antimicrobial; calcium silicate; endodontic; poly-epoxy resin; sealer; zinc oxide-eugenol.

Figure 1

Sectioned bovine incisor fixed in alabaster plaster.

Figure 2

Dentine block ready for bacterial infection.

Figure 3

Distribution of quantitative values of each sealer group. Groups sharing the same letters do not represent statistical differences. The “*” sign in the graph represents the extreme outlier value.