Comparative evaluation of three different root canal irrigants and three activated irrigation systems against Enterococcus faecalis – An in vitro study
Achsah Raichel Johnson, Dhanavel Chakravarthy, I. Kathiravan, S Vijaya Raja, S Kalaiyarasu Vigneshwari, Kavimalar SitharthanAbstract
Introduction:
Effective root canal irrigation is essential for eliminating microbial biofilms, dentinal debris, and tissue remnants that remain inaccessible to mechanical instrumentation. Among endodontic pathogens, Enterococcus faecalis is commonly implicated in persistent periapical infections and retreatment cases due to its high resistance and ability to invade dentinal tubules. Conventional syringe irrigation often fails to deliver adequate irrigant volume and flow to the apical third. Therefore, irrigant activation techniques have been introduced to enhance penetration and improve antimicrobial efficacy.
Aim:
The study aims to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of three irrigants – 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, 2% chlorhexidine (CHX), and 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) – when activated by three different systems (EndoActivator, Ultrasonics, and Laser) against
Materials and Methods:
After being extracted and prepped, 86 human single-rooted teeth were inoculated with
Results and Discussion:
When compared to the control, all irrigants demonstrated a substantial decrease in bacteria (
Conclusion:
Among the tested combinations, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite activated with Laser was the most effective in eliminating