In vitro antimicrobial effect of bacteriophages on human dentin infected with Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212

This study assessed the effect of bacteriophages on the viability of Enterococcus faecalis. Human dental roots were inoculated with a suspension of E. faecalis at three different multiplicities of infection - 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0. The phage lysate was able to significantly inhibit bacteria growth when incubated at the multiplicities of infection of 1.0, 10.0 and 0.1. The dental roots were also inoculated with bacteria for 6 days to allow bacterial penetration into the teeth tubules. Addition of the phage lysate to the roots following the 6-day incubation period led to a substantial reduction in bacteria viability. Phage therapy may be an important alternative for the treatment of root canal infections refractory to conventional endodontic therapy.