Evaluation of the Effect of Nitrofurantoin Paste as an Intracanal Medicament on the Chemical Structure of Radicular Dentine

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of a new intracanal medicament (nitrofurantoin paste) on radicular dentin's chemical structure compared with modified triple antibiotic paste (MTAP). 
 Methods: A total of 9 extracted human maxillary canine teeth were used. After cutting the crowns, the root length was standardized to 15 mm. Three 5 mm root cylinders (coronal, middle, and apical) thirds were obtained. Each cylinder was then sectioned longitudinally across the root canal's maximum diameter, resulting in six half-root specimens; two coronal halves, two middle halves, and two apical halves. Then each specimen was divided into three groups. Group 1: 25mg/mL Nit paste, Group 2: 25mg/mL MTAP, and Group 3: (Untreated). Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) with a diamond attenuated total reflectance (ATR) accessory was used to obtain infrared spectra to analyze dentin specimens. The data were analyzed statistically using one-way ANOVA and Tukey test, and significant differences were used for statistical analyses. 
 Results: Dentin thirds treated with MTAP had a lower phosphate/amide I ratio (p < 0.05) than Nit paste compared with the untreated group. Moreover, the phosphate/amide I ratio was highest in the apical third and decreased to the lowest value in the coronal third. The differences among all three-thirds were statistically significant.
 Conclusions: According to the current study results, at the concentration of (25 mg/mL), nitrofurantoin paste minimizes the reduction of phosphate/amide I ratio of the radicular dentine compared with the 25mg/mL MTAP.

Scanning Electron Microscopy Analysis of the Intratubular Radicular Dentin Penetration of Calcium Hydroxide, Triple Antibiotic Paste, and Nitrofurantoin

“…Nitrofurantoin is a powerful antibacterial agent with an extended track record of success in treating lower urinary tract infections (UTIs). Multiple trials have also shown that it is effective against Enterococcus faecalis [27]. Alrahman et al [2] found that nitrofurantoin paste, at a dose of 25 mg/mL, is effective in completely eradicating E. faecalis when used as an intracanal medicament.…”