Department of ConservativeDentistry and Endodontics, Sri Hasanamba Dental College and Hospital, Vidyanagar, Hassan, Karnataka, 573201
Online published on 25 June, 2012.
To compare the antimicrobial activity of neem extract and sodium hypochlorite based on a turbidimetric determination of bacterial growth in an in vitro root canal system of pathologically exposed pulps.
30 extracted single rooted human teeth that had pulpal pathosis were collected. They were divided into 3 groups of 10 teeth each. Pre-irrigant cultures of all teeth were taken. Biomechanical preparation was performed in all teeth. Group 1 was irrigated with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite, group2 was irrigated with neem extract and group3 with physiologic saline which served as control. Pre and post irrigant turbidity of all samples was analyzed using a spectrophotometer.
All pre-irrigant cultures obtained prior to biomechanical preparation of all teeth were positive which confirmed the presence of microorganisms. Irrigation with neem extract or sodium hypochlorite significantly reduced the number of post-irrigant positive growth compared to saline irrigation.
Paired t test and ANOVA was used to compare the results.
If antibacterial activity was the main requirement of an endodontic irrigant, the results of this study would indicate that neem extract is as good as sodium hypochlorite.
Neem extract, Sodium hypochlorite, Root canal irrigants
