A study of the time necessary for calcium hydroxide to eliminate microorganisms in infected canals

The objective of this study was to analyze the time necessary for calcium hydroxide to eliminate microorganisms in infected canals. A total of 168 human anterior teeth were prepared and sterilized. One hundred sixty two teeth were inoculated with suspensions of S. aureus, E. faecalis, P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis, C. albicans. Three teeth were used as negative control and three as positive control. Root canals were irrigated with saline and filled with calcium hydroxide paste (CHP). At intervals of 1 minute, and at 7, 15, 21, 27, 30, 45, 60, and 90 days, CHP was removed, samples were collected and immersed in Letheen Broth (LB). Microbial growth was analyzed by two methods, turbidity of the culture medium and subculture on a Brain heart Infusion. After looking for medium change, an inoculum of 0.1 mL obtained from LB was transferred to 7 mL of Brain Heart Infusion (BHI), and subsequently incubated at 37°C for 48 hours. Microbial growth was checked by turbidity of the culture medium and in some cases by Gram stain. All assays were carried out in triplicate under aseptic technique. The results indicated that the antimicrobial effect on the cultures of S. aureus, E. faecalis, P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis, C. albicans and one mixed culture in infected canals by CHP occurred in 60 days.