EFFECTS OF ROOT CANAL IRRIGANTS ON THE PLANKTONIC FORM OF ENTEROCOCCUS FAECALIS: A REVIEW.

BACKGROUND

Bacteria play an essential role in the initiation and perpetuation of pulpal and periapical pathoses. Enterococcus faecalis is associated with both primary and persistent endodontic infections. However, the frequency of E. faecalis in persistent periradicular lesions has been shown to be very higher than primary infections.

AIM: The purpose of this paper was to review the effect of various irrigation solutions such as sodium hypochlorite, chlorhexidine, MTAD and Tetraclean against E. faecalis.

METHODS

Papers used in this review were found by searching the key words (Root canal irrigant, sodium hypochlorite, chlorhexidine, MTAD, Tetraclean, Enterococcus faecalis) in PubMed.

RESULTS

It seems that, although some both sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine were very effective against E. faecalis. The other discussed irrigant and Tetraclean, MTAD, were effective against E. faecalis in both agar diffusion test and tooth model experiments.

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that all discussed irrigation solutions were effective against the planktonic form of Enterococcus faecalis.