The aim of this study was to evaluate pH, ion release and the antimicrobial effect of a new endodontic material based on nano-structured highly active calcium silicates and calcium carbonates in comparison with MTA+ and calcium hydroxide (CH).
Method:
The antimicrobial activity was preformed against Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus, both ATCC and clinical isolates. The clinical isolates were obtained from infected human root canals after the identification of bacteria. The examination of antimicrobial activity of endodontic materials has been done by double layer agar diffusion test. The base layer was made of 10 ml sterilized Mueller-Hinton agar. After 24h three uniform 5mm width and 4mm depth wells were made by sterile plastic tubes and immediately filled with tested materials (n=6). The seeding layer consisting of 10ml sterilized Mueller-Hinton agar inoculated with tested bacteria was put over the base layer. The plates were rest on room temperature for 2h allowing prediffusion of materials, incubated for 1h, 3h and 24h and inhibition zones of bacterial growth were measured with digital paquimeter. The pH measurements were performed by using pH meter with combined electrode. The total amount of released ions from the tested materials was determined by using ICP-OES.
Result:
Statistical difference was observed in antibacterial activity of CH against Enterococcus faecalis in comparison to the other tested materials (p<0,05). After one hour the antibacterial activity of CH against Staphylococcus aureus was statistically different in comparison to the other tested materials, and after 3h and 24h in comparison to MTA+ (p<0,05). The new endodontic material showed statistically different antibacterial effect in comparison to MTA+ (p<0,05). No statistical difference was observed respecting pH values of the materials (p>0,05).
Conclusion:
It appears that the new endodontic material has comparable antibacterial effect to CH against Staphylococcus aureus and low antibacterial effect against Enterococcus faecalis.