Antibacterial activity of calcium hydroxide combined with chitosan solutions and the outcomes on the bond strength of RealSeal sealer to radicular dentin

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antibacterial activity of calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] combined with chitosan solutions against Enterococcus faecalis-infected root canal dentin and the effect of this new intracanal medicament on the bond strength of RealSeal sealer to radicular dentin. An experimental intracanal medicament was prepared by mixing different concentrations of chitosan solution (25%, 50%, and 100%, W/V) to Ca(OH)2 powder. Antibacterial activity was evaluated and the total numbers of colony forming units were determined. Bonding ability of RealSeal sealer to radicular dentin was evaluated using push-out bond strength test. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's multiple comparison tests. We found that Ca(OH)2 combined with different concentrations of chitosan solutions showed better antibacterial activity than Ca(OH)2 mixed with saline, without significantly affecting the bond strength of RealSeal sealer to radicular dentin (P > 0.05). The findings suggest that Ca(OH)2 combined with chitosan is a promising intracanal medicament and may be effective in endodontic therapy.