Antibacterial efficacy of different irrigants and activation techniques in primary endodontic infections: A...

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of two root canal irrigants - 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and 2% Chlorhexidine with and without activation for the treatment of primary endodontic infections.

The study involved 90 patients with single-rooted, nonvital teeth with normal periapical appearance. Pretreatment samples (S1) were taken following access opening and determination of working length. One of six experimental groups - each representing a distinct irrigant activation technique - was randomly assigned to the participants: Group I received 2.5% NaOCl with conventional syringe and needle; Group II received 2.5% NaOCl with sonic activation; and Group III was treated with 2.5% NaOCl using ultrasonic activation (UA), Group IV used 2% CHX with conventional syringe and needle; Group V involved 2% CHX with sonic activation; and Group VI utilized 2% CHX with UA. Following chemomechanical preparation, posttreatment samples (S2) were obtained. Bacterial colonies were then quantified after 24 h using conventional colony-counting methods.

In the intragroup comparisons, microbial counts decreased significantly from all six groups, S1 to S2. The maximum reduction was seen in Group III, followed by Group VI, Group V, Group II, and Group I; Group IV showed the least reduction. Group III showed statistically significant differences compared to the other experimental groups, and Group VI also showed significant differences compared to Groups I and IV.

It was observed that UA was most successful in decreasing microorganisms, while NaOCl outperformed CHX in terms of antibacterial efficacy. Therefore, NaOCl with UA could be considered a highly effective disinfection protocol in endodontics.