A Comparison of Antimicrobial Effect between Calcium Hydroxide: Distilled Water Paste and Calcium Hydroxide: Chlorhexidine Paste

Abstract

A Comparison of Antimicrobial Effect between Calcium Hydroxide:  Distilled Water Paste and Calcium Hydroxide:  Chlorhexidine Paste

Wantana         Leelasanguan DDS*

Leelaowadee  Sangsuk          NSc**

* Dental Section, Taksin Hospital

**National Institute of Health, Department of Medical Science

Objective: To compare the antimicrobial effect between calcium hydroxide:  distilled water paste and calcium hydroxide:  chlorhexidine paste on common pathogenic bacteria in root canal infection.

Study design: Experimental study.

Anaerobic bacteria 4 species and facultative anaerobic bacteria 3 species were selected.

Methods: Each bacterium was cultivated on 20 sterile ager plates which had a 7 mm. hole in the central. These agar plates were equally divided into 2 groups. Calcium hydroxide:  distilled water paste was assigned for the first group and calcium hydroxide: chlorhexidine paste in the second group. Then, all agar plates were incubated at designated temperature. The inhibition zone was measured and analyzed.

Main outcome measures: The distance of inhibited zone.

Results: The antimicrobial effect on seven different bacteria of Calcium hydroxide: chlorhexidine paste was better than calcium hydroxide: distilled water paste significantly. The effect was more on Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Actinomyces israelii, Staphylococcus aureus, Actinomyces viscosus, Porphyromonas endodontalis and Enterococcus faecalis respectively.

Conclusion: Calcium hydroxide: Chlorhexidine paste was more effective than calcium hydroxide: Distilled water paste for eradicating these bacteria. Then, anti-infective medication should be developed from this combination

Key words: calcium hydroxide: chlorhexidine paste, antimicrobial effect

Vajira Med J 2006 ; 50 : 95 - 102