Antibacterial Efficacy of Sodium Hypochlorite, Ozonated Water, and 980 nm Diode Laser Used for Disinfection of Root Canal against Enterococcus faecalis: A Microbiological Study

AIM: Evaluation and comparison of the antibacterial efficacy of sodium hypochlorite, ozonated water, diode laser, and diode laser in combination with ozonated water against Enterococcus faecalis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty extracted premolar teeth were sectioned at the cementoenamel junction and root canals were prepared using step-back technique with K-file up to #40. The teeth were arbitrarily allocated to four groups and stowed into brain heart infusion broth containing a microbial suspension of E. faecalis. Group I samples were irrigated with 3% sodium hypochlorite. Group II samples were irrigated with ozonated water. Group III samples were irrigated firstly by distilled water followed by laser irradiation. Group IV samples were irrigated by ozonated water followed by laser irradiation. After the treatment, the teeth were kept in vials containing 2 mL of nutrient broth. The vials were then incubated at 37°C for 24 h. Standard methods were then used to identify grown colonies. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Kruskal–Wallis test, Mann–Whitney test, Chi-square test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to measure the colony-forming units (CFUs) obtained at the end of the incubation period among the various groups for the evaluation of antibacterial efficacy of various disinfection protocols. RESULTS: The highest mean CFU/mL is recorded in group II (with ozonated water) followed by group I (with sodium hypochlorite), group III (with a laser), and the least mean CFU/mL is seen in group IV (with laser and ozonated water). The variation in CFU/mL among the three groups is statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The outcome of this study reveals that 980 nm diode laser along with ozonated water when used together can eliminate and disinfect the root canals with E. faecalis. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Kushwah J, Mishra R, Bhadauria V. Antibacterial Efficacy of Sodium Hypochlorite, Ozonated Water, and 980 nm Diode Laser Used for Disinfection of Root Canal against Enterococcus faecalis: A Microbiological Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(6):694–699.