Management of Enterococcus faecalis associated endodontic infection using gold nanogel: An in-vitro study

This study evaluates the antimicrobial efficacy of gold nanogel as an endodontic medicament against Enterococcus faecalis in persistent root canal infections. It investigates whether gold nanogel can serve as an effective and biocompatible alternative to conventional medicaments in eliminating E. faecalis. Gold nanoparticles (< 100 nm) were tested against E. faecalis using the agar diffusion method. Extracted teeth inoculated with E. faecalis were treated with gold nanogel (1000 µg/mL), chlorhexidine gluconate (2%), calcium hydroxide, or saline for seven days. Antimicrobial efficacy was assessed on days 1, 3, and 7 using agar diffusion and colony-forming unit (CFU) assays. Gold nanogel significantly reduced E. faecalis biofilm viability, showing greater efficacy than calcium hydroxide and comparable results to 2% chlorhexidine. Chlorhexidine eradicated E. faecalis by day 7, while gold nanogel exhibited sustained antibacterial action with minimal CFUs remaining. Gold nanogel demonstrated superior efficacy over calcium hydroxide and comparable effectiveness to chlorhexidine gluconate (2%) against E. faecalis. Further studies are recommended to evaluate its clinical applications and long-term biocompatibility.