Abstract:

Introduction: The aim of this study is to make an in vitro evaluation and comparison of the antimicrobial activity of the triple antibiotic paste, calcium hydroxide and indextol against E. faecalis. Materials and methods: Factory sealed packs of calcium hydroxide and indextol were used. The triple antibiotic paste in the desired concentration was prepared immediately before the experiment. Talcum powder mixed with saline was used as a control. A bacterial strain of E. faecalis was incubated in agar plates. Six wells were created in each plate – five peripheral and one central. The studied drugs were applied with sterile syringes in the peripheral wells, and in the central one – control with talcum powder in saline. One day after sample preparation, the inhibitory zone was measured from the edge of the well to the beginning of microbial growth. Results: The inhibitory zone is the largest in the samples treated with calcium hydroxide. In the other groups, the inhibition of microbial growth is significantly lower, as it decreases with the concentration of active ingredients in the triple antibiotic paste. The efficacy of Indextol against E. faecalis was comparable to that of TAP at a concentration of 100 μg / mL. Conclusion: TAP at a concentration lower than 100 μg / mL is not effective in endodontic infections involving E. faecalis. With the exception of calcium hydroxide, none of the other intracanal dressings at the concentrations tested in the present study guaranteed good antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis.