Antimicrobial Efficacy of Different Endodontic Sealers against Enterococcus faecalis: An In vitro Study

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this in vitro study is to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of four different endodontic sealers against Enterococcus faecalis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Four different endodontic sealers, namely, resin based (AH Plus), zinc oxide-eugenol based (Tubliseal), calcium hydroxide based (Sealapex), and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA Fillapex) based were tested for their antimicrobial efficacy against E. faecalis using agar diffusion method. Four wells were made by the removal of agar at equidistant points and filled with freshly mixed respective root canal sealers and were inoculated with E. faecalis. All the three plates were incubated for a period of 72 h at 37°C under aerobic conditions. The diameter of inhibition zones was measured at 24, 48, and 72 h time intervals. Data obtained were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and unpaired t-test. RESULTS: All the tested sealers showed some bacterial growth inhibition of E. faecalis. Their efficacy in descending order of antibacterial activity was as follows: Sealapex > AH Plus > Tubliseal > MTA Fillapex. The efficacy of the root canal sealers decreased marginally with increase in their duration of action. CONCLUSION: Antimicrobial efficacy of calcium hydroxide-based sealer was highest followed by resin-based sealer and was the least with MTA based sealer.