Antibacterial Activity of Various Intracanal Medicament against Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus: An In vitro Study

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial efficacy of triple antibiotic paste (TAP), calcium hydroxide, and Odontopaste which are used as intracanal medicaments against Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus mutants, and Staphylococcus aureus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antibiotic sensitivity testing was done using agar well diffusion method of the following intracanal medicaments: Group 1: TAP (Ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, and doxycycline mixed in a ratio of 1:1:1; Group 2: Calcium hydroxide paste; Group 3: Odontopaste; Group 4: Sterile saline (0.9%) as a negative control. Each medicament was tested against E. faecalis, S. mutants, and S. aureus. The maximum zone of inhibition was noted by diameter size (mm) and analyzed with one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: TAP showed the highest zone of inhibition. There is no significant difference between Odontopaste and calcium hydroxide against E. faecalis and S. aureus. There is a significant difference between TAP, Odontopaste, and calcium hydroxide against S. mutants. The order of the highest zone of inhibition is TAP > Odontopaste>Calciumhydroxide. CONCLUSION: With in the limitations of the study, TAP had better antibacterial activity against E. faecalis, S. mutants, and S. aureus followed by odontopaste and calcium hydroxide, Hence, Odontopaste can be used as an alternative for calcium hydroxide in the infected root canal.