Comparative Evaluation Of Bacterial Contamination Of Bioceramic And Non-Bioceramic Gutta-Percha Cones Before And After Clinical Use And Disinfection Of Gutta-Percha Cones Using Herbal Irrigants – An In-Vitro Study. Gutta Percha Cones Disinfection Using Herbal Irrigants

Abstract

Context:
Gutta Percha cones are manufactured under aseptic circumstances; however, contamination occurs due to incorrect storage and handling by the operators. Immersing the GP cones in a 5.25% NaOCI solution for one minute is indicated for disinfection. Recently, the use of phytomedicines derived from natural plants for disinfection has proved various advantages.

Aim: To evaluate and compare the microbial contamination before and after clinical use and chairside disinfection of Bioceramic Gutta Percha cones and Non-Bioceramic Gutta Percha cones, with Sodium Hypochlorite, Calendula Officinalis and Thymus Vulgaris, using culture media – Brain-Heart Infusion agar.

Settings and Design/Methods and Material:

Twelve Bioceramic GP cones and twelve Non-Bioceramic GP cones were collected from freshly opened boxes. Gutta Percha boxes were in clinical use for four weeks. The microbes were evaluated using culture media. In the case of positive result for contamination, for each GP cone, a Chairside Disinfection Protocol (comprising of usage of either NaOCl, Calendula Officinalis or Thymus Vulgaris) was tested. The Gutta-percha cones were again cultured and evaluated for CFUs.

Statistical analysis used:

The data was analysed statistically with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Statistic for window, version 21.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.)

Results:

No growth of bacteria was seen with the gutta-percha cones obtained from the freshly opened boxes.

Bacterial contamination was seen to be greater with bioceramic gutta percha than with non-bioceramic gutta-percha.

Highest disinfection was achieved by Sodium Hypochlorite, followed by Calendula Officinalis and Thymus Vulgaris.

Conclusions:

Within the limits of this in-vitro study, it can be concluded that herbal irrigants exhibit significant antibacterial activity against endodontic pathogens and can be utilised as a substitute for sodium hypochlorite, while the latter still remains the gold standard.