An Evaluation of Antimicrobial Effect of Calcium Hydroxide Gutta Percha Points and Chlorhexidine Gutta Percha Points in the Treatment of Infected Root Canals (In Vivo Study)

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the antibacterial effect of gutta percha points containing calcium hydroxide as well as gutta percha points containing chlorhexidine as intracanal medicaments in the treatment of infected root canals. This was prospected by the recognition of the bacterial growth (identification and counting) in the root canal system by taking 3 bacterial cultures before, after instrumentation and after medication by the experimental materials. Forty healthy patients having non-vital single rooted teeth with chronic periapical pathosis were selected in this study. The patients were divided into 3 groups; two experimental groups each of 15 received an interappointment dressing of gutta percha points . containing either calcium hydroxide or chlorhexidine and one group of 10 patients did not receive any medication to serve as a control. The results demonstrated a highly significant reduction in the bacterial growth (number and count) in the experimental groups before and after instrumentation and after medication of the root canal when compared with the control. Moreover, Chlorhexidine gutta percha points proved a significant better antibacterial effect than calcium hydroxide gutta.percha points.