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Mechanical reduction of the bacterial population in the root canal by three instrumentation techniques
J F Siqueira1, K C Lima, F A Magalhães
1Estácio de Sá University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Abstract:
The in vitro reduction of the bacterial population in the root canal by the mechanical action of instrumentation and irrigation was evaluated. Root canals inoculated with a Enterococcus faecalis suspension were instrumented using hand Nitiflex files, Greater Taper (GT) files, and Profile 0.06 taper Series 29 rotary instruments. Irrigation was performed using sterile saline solution. Root canals were sampled before and after instrumentation. In the group of the Nitiflex files, samples were also taken after each file size. After serial dilution, samples were plated onto Mitis-Salivarius agar, and the colony forming units grown were counted. All techniques and instruments tested were able to reduce significantly the number of bacterial cells in the root canal. Instrumentation to a Nitiflex #30 was significantly more effective than GT files. There were no significant differences when comparing the effects of the Profile instrument #5 with either the GT files or the Nitiflex #30. Enlargement to a Nitiflex #40 was significantly more effective in eliminating bacteria when compared with the other techniques and instruments tested (p < 0.05). The results of this study showed that the instrumentation and irrigation can mechanically remove more than 90% of bacterial cells from the root canal.
Insights
Mechanical root canal cleaning using instrumentation and irrigation effectively reduced Enterococcus faecalis bacteria. Larger file sizes, specifically Nitiflex #40, demonstrated superior bacterial elimination in this in vitro study.
Area of Science:
- Endodontics
- Microbiology
- Dental Instrumentation
Background:
- Bacterial contamination of root canals is a primary cause of endodontic failure.
- Effective mechanical removal of bacteria during root canal treatment is crucial for successful outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vitro efficacy of different root canal instrumentation techniques in reducing Enterococcus faecalis populations.
- To compare the bacterial reduction capabilities of hand files (Nitiflex), rotary instruments (Profile), and Greater Taper (GT) files.
Main Methods:
- Root canals were inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis.
- Instrumentation was performed using Nitiflex, GT files, and Profile rotary instruments.
- Bacterial samples were collected before and after instrumentation, with serial dilution and colony counting on Mitis-Salivarius agar.
Main Results:
- All tested techniques significantly reduced bacterial numbers.
- Nitiflex #30 files were more effective than GT files.
- Nitiflex #40 files showed significantly greater bacterial elimination compared to all other methods.
- Instrumentation and irrigation removed over 90% of bacteria.
Conclusions:
- Mechanical instrumentation and irrigation are highly effective in reducing root canal bacterial load.
- Larger file sizes, particularly Nitiflex #40, offer enhanced bacterial elimination.
- The choice of instrumentation technique impacts the efficiency of bacterial removal in endodontic procedures.