AIM To assess the presence of Enterococcus faecalis after root canal treatment in single or multiple visits in an ex vivo model. METHODOLOGY Forty-five premolar teeth were infected ex vivo with E. faecalis for 60 days. The canals were then prepared using a crowndown technique with System GT and Gates-Glidden burs and irrigated with 2% chlorhexidine gel. The specimens were divided into five gr...

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) gluconate gel, calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] and their combination with iodoform and zinc oxide powder as intracanal medications against select microorganisms, and to measure the pH changes caused by these medications. Antimicrobial activity was determined by the agar diffusion method. The zones of growth inhi...

AIM To investigate the antimicrobial activity of 2.5% and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite and 2.0% chlorhexidine gel and liquid as endodontic-irrigating substances against selected single-species biofilms. METHODS Single-species biofilms of Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Porphyromonas endodontalis and Fusobacterium nu...

AIM This study evaluated the in vitro antibacterial effects of the formulated Punica granatum (PG) gel against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Lactobacillus casei. MATERIALS AND METHODS The PG extract was dissolved in water at 500 mg/mL. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for identification and quantification of chemical marker punicalagin. Minimum bacte...

Although caries prevalence in preschool children has dramatically decreased during the last decades it is still a large problem for a minor group of these children. Great efforts have been invested in finding effective preventive programs for the high caries active preschool children. However, few studies have evaluated and discussed which approach will give the best effect. The aim of the pres...

The potential pathogenic role of mutans streptococci in the etiology of dental caries is well-documented. Mutans streptococci are sensitive to chlorhexidine (CHX), and several methods for the clinical use of CHX have been described. An important target group for caries-preventive measures is patients with impaired salivary secretion due to the use of therapeutic drugs such as psychotropics. The...