Abstract
BACKGROUND: Endodontic treatment involves the removal of infected dental pulp and subsequent disinfection of the root canal system. The effectiveness of drug delivery systems in root canal disinfection is critical for successful treatment outcomes. This in vitro study explores the potential of nanoparticles as a novel drug delivery system for endodontic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nanoparticles were synthesized using a biocompatible polymer and loaded with an antimicrobial agent. A total of 60 extracted human teeth were prepared to create standardized root canal infections. The teeth were randomly divided into three experimental groups: (1) conventional irrigation, (2) nanoparticle irrigation, and (3) control (no irrigation). The root canals in each group were irrigated with their respective solutions for 5 minutes. After treatment, microbial samples were collected from the root canals and cultured for colony-forming unit (CFU) analysis. The depth of penetration of nanoparticles into dentinal tubules was assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS: The conventional irrigation group showed a reduction in microbial load from an average of 7.8 × 10^5 CFU/mL (SD ± 1.2 × 10^5) to 3.4 × 10^4 CFU/mL (SD ± 7.9 × 10^3) (P < 0.001). In contrast, the nanoparticle irrigation group exhibited a more significant reduction, with a decrease in CFU to 1.2 × 10^3 CFU/mL (SD ± 4.2 × 10^2) (P < 0.001). SEM analysis revealed deep penetration of nanoparticles into dentinal tubules, reaching an average depth of 150 μm. CONCLUSION: Nanoparticles loaded with antimicrobial agents demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing microbial load within root canals compared to conventional irrigation. Their ability to penetrate dentinal tubules suggests their potential as an innovative drug delivery system for endodontic treatment. Further research and clinical trials are warranted to validate these promising in vitro results and assess the safety and efficacy of nanoparticles in clinical practice.