Ex vivo Effect of Copper Sulfate on Enterococcus faecalis in Root Canals

Abstract

SÁNCHEZ-SANHUEZA, G.; ALCÁNTARA-DUFEU, R.; CARRILLO, L.; MANSILLA, H.; NOVOA, C.& BELLO-TOLEDO, H. Ex vivo effect of copper sulfate on Enterococcus faecalis in root canal. Int. J. Odontostomat., 9(3):505-510, 2015.ABSTRACT: The incomplete disinfection of root canal system has been reported as the main cause of post-treatment disease, due to the persistence of bacteria. For over thirty years Enterococcus faecalis has been considered the most common bacterial species isolated from persistent root canal infections, resisting antibacterial agents, such as chlorhexidine and calcium hydroxide. Several studies have indicated that copper has optimal disinfecting capacities in a hospital environment. Aimed to know the ex vivo effect of copper sulfate (CuSO 4 ) on E. faecalis. Thirty-six extracted human tooth root canals were inoculated with E. faecalis ATCC 29212. These root canals had undergone endondontic procedures with a rotatory system. The effect of CuSO 4 was determined by plate count method of E. faecalis obtained from one sample of each tooth under three incubation times (4 th , 7 th and 10 th day). The canals medicated with CuSO 4 , the bacterial count decreased 6 log after 4 days and remained as such without statistically significant change until the tenth day. It is an indisputable fact of its antibacterial action. The bacterial persistence may be due to the ability of E. faecalis to remain viable in root canals up to 12 months without additional nutrients. These preliminary results could be used for further scientific work assessing the potential for the use of cooper in dentistry. SÁNCHEZ-SANHUEZA, G.; ALCÁNTARA-DUFEU, R.; CARRILLO, L.; MANSILLA, H.; NOVOA, C.& BELLO-TOLEDO, H. Ex vivo effect of copper sulfate on Enterococcus faecalis in root canal. Int. J. Odontostomat., 9(3):505-510, 2015.

Copper Nanoparticles as Potential Antimicrobial Agent in Disinfecting Root Canals: A Systematic Review

“…The sharp contact with metallic copper surfaces did not result in an increase in mutation rates or bacterial DNA lesions (Santo et al, 2011). The starting point for the clinical use of copper, specifically for disinfecting the root canal system is reported in a ex vivo study where the canals treated with copper sulfate pentahydrate showed a reduction of 6 logarithms in the count of colony-forming units on the fourth day (Sánchez-Sanhueza et al, 2015).…”

Antimicrobial and antibiofilm efficacy of a copper/calcium hydroxide-based endodontic paste against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> and <i>Candida albicans </i>

“…Innovative endodontic techniques have become widely available over the last years 25,26) in particular, a copper-calcium-hydroxide (Cupral) treatment has been carefully regarded given its potent antimicrobial properties 27) . Not only vegetative forms, but also bacterial spores and viruses were affected, underlying the widerange efficacy such system 27) .…”

Antibacterial Activity of Copper Nanoparticles (CuNPs) against a Resistant Calcium Hydroxide Multispecies Endodontic Biofilm

“…Bacterial resistance is a constant concern in the failure of root treatments, hence the importance of studying new antimicrobial agents that can be used as coadjuvants and/or alternatives in endodontic therapy [24]. Copper has multiple properties, among which antimicrobial contact and anti-contact action avoid the appearance of resistant microorganisms and acts as a better antimicrobial dressing than Ca(OH) 2 in the root canal ex vivo model [25]. CuNPs improve the properties of copper as a pure metal, which is a great advantage as they could access tiny dentinal tubules with an average size of 5 µm, in which the endodontic biofilm is housed [15].…”