Alexidine: a Safer and an Effective Root Canal Irrigant than Chlorhexidine

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is generally used as the final irrigating solution in root canal therapy. Recent studies have reported that, toxic precipitates containing parachloroaniline (PCA) are formed when CHX reacts with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). Whereas, Alexidine (ALX), a bisbiguanide disinfectant similar to CHX, has proven to form no precipitates with NaOCl.

To compare antimicrobial activity of different concentrations of ALX with CHX individually and when combined with NaOCl against E. faecalis strains.

Different concentrations of ALX and CHX (0.5%, 1%, and 2%) were tested individually and when mixed with 2.5% NaOCl (1:1 ratio) using disc diffusion method against E. faecalis. After 24 hours incubation at 37°C, zones of inhibition were measured for each solution. The results obtained were statistically analysed using one way ANOVA and Scheffe's post-hoc tests. The p-value <0.001 was considered as highly significant.

Regardless of the concentrations, ALX obtained the best results in comparison to CHX. There was no statistically significant difference between ALX + NaOCl and CHX + NaOCl mixtures.

The present study showed that, the antimicrobial property of ALX against E. faecalis was found to be superior to CHX at same concentrations.