Antibacterial efficacy of nitrofurantoin impregnated with silver nanoparticles as an intracanal medicament

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the antibacterial efficacy of nitrofurantoin (Nit) and calcium hydroxide (CH) coated with silver nanoparticle (AgNP) against Enterococcus faecalis-infected root canals using flow cytometry.

Seventy-eight extracted noncarious human single-rooted teeth were decoronated and chemomechanical preparation was done. The decoronated roots were inoculated with E. Faecalis for 21 days. The roots were then grouped depending on the types of intracanal medicaments used, namely, Group 1: Nit paste; Group 2: Nit with 0.02% AgNP suspension; Group 3: CH paste (Ultracal); Group 4: CH paste with 0.02% AgNP suspension; Group 5: 0.02% AgNP suspension; and Group 6: normal saline (0.9%) was taken as control. After 14 days of incubation, dentin chips from root canals were retrieved and transferred into Eppendorf tubes containing distilled water, and flow cytometry analysis was done. The statistical analysis was done using ANOVA.

Flow cytometry analysis revealed that antibacterial activity of intracanal medicament was highest for Nit + AgNp. The least activity was observed for AgNP.

Both Nit and Nit with 0.02% AgNP can be used as potential intracanal medicaments against E. faecalis.