Comparative Evaluation of the Antibacterial Efficacy of Chlorhexidine and 810 nm Diode Laser in the Disinfection of Root Canals Contaminated With Enterococcus faecalis: An In Vitro Study.

Introduction: This study compared the antibacterial efficacy of three different root canal irrigants, sodium hypochlorite, chlorhexidine and 810 nm diode laser and diode laser in combination with chlorhexidine in root canals contaminated with Methods: Fifty extracted mandibular first premolars were decoronated at the cementoenamel junction and cut at the apical end; biomechanical preparation was done, autoclaved and contaminated with  The specimens were divided into five groups containing 10 teeth each: group I: saline (negative control), group II: 2.5% sodium hypochlorite, group III: 2% chlorhexidine gluconate solution, group IV: diode laser, and group V: diode laser in combination with 2% chlorhexidine. Disinfection was carried out, after which dentinal shavings were collected from the specimens of each group.