Confocal Laser Scanner Evaluation of Bactericidal Effect of Chitosan Nanodroplets Loaded with Benzalkonium Chloride

The aim was to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy and penetration depth into dentinal tubules of a solution of chitosan nanodroplets (NDs) loaded with Benzalkonium Chloride (BAK). Seventy-two human single-root teeth with fully formed apex were used. Cylindrical root dentin blocks were longitudinally sectioned and enlarged to a size of a Gates Glidden drill #4. After sterilization, root canals were infected with Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 and further incubated for three weeks. Specimens were assigned to three experimental groups (n = 20), plus positive (n = 6) and negative (n = 6) controls. In the first group, irrigation was achieved with 2 mL of NDs solution loaded with BAK (NDs-BAK), in the second with 2 mL of 5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and in the last with 2 mL of 2% chlorhexidine (CHX). Specimens were rinsed and vertically fractured. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and viability staining were used to analyze the proportions of dead and live bacteria quantitatively. The volume ratio of red fluorescence (dead) was calculated in 3D reconstructions. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and post hoc Bonferroni tests (p < 0.05). The ratio of red fluorescence over the whole green/red fluorescence resulted in a significant comparison of NDs-BAK with NaOCl (p < 0.01) and NaOCl with CHX (p < 0.01). No differences were found between NDs-BAK and CHX (p > 0.05). The mean depth of efficacy was, respectively: NDs-BAK 325.25 μm, NaOCl 273.36 μm and CHX 246.78 μm with no statistical differences between groups. The NaOCl solution showed the highest antimicrobial efficacy, but nanodroplets with BAK seemed to have the same effect as CHX with a high depth of efficacy.