Intratubular disinfection with tri-antibiotic and calcium hydroxide pastes.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the in vitro intradentinal antimicrobial ability of the calcium hydroxide and tri-antibiotic pastes.

Materials And Methods: Standard bovine dentin tubes were sterilized and then infected with Enterococcus faecalis by a new contamination protocol of great depths of dentin. The specimens were filled with the medications, divided into two test-groups: calcium hydroxide (Group 1) and tri-antibiotic (Group 2) pastes. After 15 days, the teeth were evaluated by microbiological culture and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) with viability dye assay LIVE/DEAD inside dentinal tubules. In experiment of culture, the bacterial collection of the dentin fragments was done for counting the colony-forming units.

Results: The tri-antibiotic paste had a slightly greater antimicrobial effect; however, there was no statistical difference between the groups.

Conclusions: It was concluded that the tri-antibiotic paste and the calcium hydroxide paste exercise the same effect on intra-tubular decontamination against E. faecalis. So, due the multiples advantages, the calcium hydroxide paste can be the choice for dentinal decontamination in regenerative procedures.