Antibacterial efficacy of silver diamine fluoride as a root canal irrigant

OBJECTIVES: Conventional disinfectants and medicaments have not been able to achieve and maintain sterilization of root canals. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of 3.8% silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in comparison with 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) against Enterococcus faecalis biofilm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Extracted human teeth were used to make 70 dentin discs that were then inoculated with E. faecalis to generate a 3‐week‐old biofilm model. The discs were subjected to treatment with 3.8% SDF, 2% CHX, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), or saline for 10 min. After exposure, the dentin discs were examined with a confocal laser scanning microscope to verify the percentage of live versus dead cells within the biofilm. Univariate one‐way analysis of variance and Tukey‐honestly significant difference post hoc analysis (p < .05) were performed to detect significant differences. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The NaOCl group showed the greatest percentage of dead cells (62.26%) among all groups (p < .05). The SDF group showed a significantly higher percentage of dead cells (57.39%) than the 2% CHX and saline groups (p < .05). SDF possessed higher antimicrobial activity than 2% CHX against E. faecalis biofilms.