Antimicrobial effects of calcium hydroxide, chlorhexidine, and propolis on Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans

Abstract

Both CHX and propolis were the most effective against E. faecalis, whereas only CHX had the highest antifungal activity on C. albicans in dentine of extracted teeth.

Antimicrobial activity of different disinfection methods against biofilms in root canals

“…The reduction in microbial counts of Gram positives and Gram negatives after the treatment with hydrogen peroxide was the lowest in this group: 3.0–4.5 log 10 and 1.5–4.5 log 10 , respectively ( P < 0.001). The latest studies in the field report that the most effective irrigating solutions against Gram positives, including old biofilms formed by E. faecalis and yeasts ( C. albicans ) are first, 2.5% NaOCl and second, 2% CHX . This is supported by our results, with the only difference being that CHX demonstrated lower cytotoxicity than NaOCl …”

“…Most bacteria are destroyed at pH 9.5. Few microbes, such as E. faecalis and Candida spp., survive over extreme pH (pH 11) . Another frequent pathological agent found in endodontic infections is methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA), which can form extracellular slime and is resistant to all beta‐lactams due to an alteration in the penicillin‐binding proteins, and in most cases, is insensitive to other antibiotics .…”

“…Other more rare isolates from the root canals include opportunistic pathogens, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida spp. They can also be found in periapical lesions, such as granulomas and necrotic pulp tissue . The adhesion and invasion of dentinal tubules by root canal bacteria are determined by multiple factors .…”

“…Other factors that can also play a role in adhesion and aggregation are some outer membrane proteins and lipopolysaccharides from Gram‐negative bacteria . Bacteria with a high level of resistance to alkalis and antibiotics are the most common etiological agents . Antibiotic therapy is not a viable option for the eradication of the biofilm in root canals, owing to the strong barrier effect of the bacterial exopolysaccharide layer.…”

The Effect of Addition of an EPS Degrading Enzyme with and without Detergent to 2% Chlorhexidine on Disruption of Enterococcus faecalis Biofilm: A Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopic Study

“…CHX is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent and effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms [8,9]. It possesses the property of substantivity [10].…”