Comparative efficacy of antimicrobial agents used in endodontic treatment on selected microorganisms

This study was undertaken to compare and evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of Biopure MTAD a root canal irrigant used for final rinse and commonly used intracanal medicament Metapex against Enterococcus faecalis and Propionibacterium acne .Agar disc diffusion test was done to compare and evaluate antimicrobial efficacy of Biopure MTAD (Dentsply Tulsa Dental, Tulsa, OK) and Metapex (META BIOMED CO.LTD, Korea). Pre-sterilized Whatman paper discs, 6 mm in diameter and soaked with the test solution, were prepared and placed onto the previously seeded agar Petri plates. Each plate was incubated at 370C for 48 hours. A zone of inhibition was recorded for each plate and the results were analysed statistically. Saline and Ethanol used as control group in this study.Biopure MTAD was more effective then Metapex against Enterococcus faecalis and Propionibacterium acne with a substantial zone of inhibition. Statistically significant (p<0.5) difference were seen in zone of inhibition size between tested antimicrobial agents against E.faecalis but nonsignificant (p>0.5) difference in zone of inhibition size against P.acne was found between Biopure MTAD and Metapex.Biopure MTAD was found to be superior in its antimicrobial abilities compared to Metapex.