Antibacterial Effectiveness of Ginger Extract and Chlorhexidine as Root Canal Irrigants in Primary Teeth Contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis (An In Vitro Study)

Abstract

One of the most important reasons for endodontic treatment failure is the persistence or survival of microorganisms in the complex root canal system or periapical area; therefore, the success of endodontic treatment depends, to a great degree, on the elimination of microorganisms from the root canal system through mechanical instrumentation and chemical irrigation. Profound irrigation of the canals with antimicrobial solutions is an important step to eliminate or decrease the number of microorganisms from the root canal system. Enterococuss faecalis (E.faecalis) has been reported in high prevalence in primary endodontic infections affecting children. The purpose of the current study was to compare the antimicrobial effect of 20% ginger ethanolic extract solution with 2% chlorhexidine when used as root canal irrigants in extracted primary teeth contaminated with E. faecalis bacteria. Seventy-five extracted deciduous maxillary teeth were de-coronated .Then, the roots were separated and only palatal roots of molars teeth were used. Roots were randomly divided into three experimental groups, one positive control group and one negative control group as follows: Group I (negative control): consisted of 15 roots that were not contaminated nor irrigated,Group II (positive control): consisted of 15 roots that were contaminated and irrigated with sterile saline, Group III: consisted of 15 roots that were contaminated with E.faecalis and irrigated with 20% ginger solution,Group IV: consisted of 15 roots that were irrigated with 2% Chlorhexidine solution after being contaminated with E.faecalis and GroupV:consisted of 15 roots that were irrigated with 95% ethanol after being contaminated with E.faecalis.