Comparative evaluation of effectiveness of sodium dichloroisocyanurate and calcium hydroxide against Candida albicans.

INTRODUCTION Candida albicans is the most commonly isolated fungi from the oral cavity. It is the most infective to various intracanal medicaments and is considered as invasive yeast. Sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) which is used as a disinfectant and as a biocide in treating potable water has similar action to that of sodium hypochlorite against microbes. The aim of the present study is to compare the effectiveness of calcium hydroxide and NaDCC against Candida albicans. MATERIALS AND METHODS After obtaining the stock cultures of Candida, the isolates were divided into six groups which were exposed to different concentrations of NaDCC and calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)₂. Group 1 consisted of the isolates which were subdivided into three groups, subjected to three different concentrations of NaDCC. Group 2 also consisted of three subgroups exposed to three different concentrations of Ca(OH)₂. Group three consisted of three subgroups which were exposed to three different concentrations of combinations of both NaDCC and Ca(OH)₂. RESULTS The results of the present study show that calcium hydroxide was totally ineffective at all concentrations and NaDCC was effective and also the combination of both was shown to be effective. CONCLUSION NaDCC alone was effective at all concentrations and the combination with Ca(OH)₂ was found to be less effective. Ca(OH)₂ was totally ineffective.