Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The major goal of endodontic treatment is to eliminate bacteria from the root canals and prevent re-infection. Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) has been attributed to be the most common organism for the endodontic treatment failures. The choice of endodontic material that have high antimicrobial efficacy can help in decreasing/avoiding growth of micro-organisms and facilitate the success rate of treatment. AIM: The present study was designed with an aim to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of antibiotic coated gutta-percha cones on E. faecalis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was an invitro experimental study, conducted at Department of Public Health Densitry and Department of Microbiology. Gutta-percha cones were coated with different medicaments like Zinc Oxide-Eugenol cement (ZOE i.e. Group A), ZOE plus Amoxicillin-Clavulanic acid combination (Group B), ZOE plus Amoxicillin (Group C), ZOE plus Ofloxacin-Ornidazole combination (Group D). Agar plates were inoculated with E. faecalis and antibiotic coated gutta-percha cones along with conventional gutta-percha cones (coated only with ZOE) were placed in those agar plates. After 24hours incubation; diameter of zone of inhibition around gutta-percha stick was considered to assess the antimicrobial activity. Results were statistically analysed with analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey post-hoc test for group-wise comparisons. RESULTS: Mean diameter of zone of inhibition (in mm) obtained for Group A, Group B, Group C and Group D were 5±0.03, 26.6±0.05, 21.5±0.04 and 15.8±0.03 respectively. The difference in values of different antibiotics was statistically significant. The p-value < 0.001 was considered statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Group B was most effective against E.faecalis compared to other combinations used which increase the success rate of endodontic treatment as compared to conventional gutta-percha cones.