Efficacy of Various Intracanal Medicaments in Human Primary Teeth with Necrotic Pulp against Candida Biofilms: An in vivo Study

BACKGROUND Candida has been associated with cases of secondary and persistent root canal infections. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of commonly used intracanal medicament against Candida biofilms found in root canals of human primary teeth with necrotic pulp. MATERIALS AND METHODS Pulp canals of 45 single-rooted primary maxillary anterior teeth with pulp necrosis in 34 children were included in the study. They were divided into three groups of 15 samples each - group I: Ca(OH)2 (calcium hydroxide); group II: 1% chlorhexidine gel (CHX); and group III: 1% metronidazole gel. Bacterial count was obtained from each tooth at two different stages: (1) after instrumentation, and (2) after placement of the medication. Statistical analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 10.0 software program (Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) with Wilcoxon signed rank test after grouping the samples was performed. RESULTS Ca(OH)2, 1% CHX gel, and 1% metronidazole gel were ineffective in completely eliminating Candida biofilms from root canal of human primary teeth with necrotic pulp. CONCLUSION None of the commonly used intracanal medicaments, i.e., Ca(OH)2, 1% CHX gel, and 1% metronidazole gel, was effective in completely eliminating Candida biofilm from root canal of human primary teeth with necrotic pulp. Ineffectiveness of these medicaments against Candida has opened new door of research regarding the use of suitable intracanal medicaments against single and multispecies biofilms. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE Paikkatt JV, Sreedharan S, Philomina B, Kannan VP, Santhakumar M, Kumar TVA. Efficacy of Various Intracanal Medicaments in Human Primary Teeth with Necrotic Pulp against Candida Biofilms: An in vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2017;10(1):45-48.