Comparing the Antifungal Effect of Sodium Hypochlorite Gel versus Different Types of Root Canal Medicaments at Different Time Intervals Using the Agar Diffusion Test: An In Vitro Study

Mohamed El Sayed; Nikta Ghanerad; Zeinab Shabanpour; Mahin Shabanpoor; Fatemeh Rahimi

doi:10.1155/2021/6550054

Comparing the Antifungal Effect of Sodium Hypochlorite Gel versus Different Types of Root Canal Medicaments at Different Time Intervals Using the Agar Diffusion Test: An In Vitro Study

Int J Dent. 2021 Dec 13:2021:6550054. doi: 10.1155/2021/6550054. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Mohamed El Sayed^{1

2}, Nikta Ghanerad¹, Zeinab Shabanpour¹, Mahin Shabanpoor¹, Fatemeh Rahimi¹

Affiliations

¹ Ajman University, College of Dentistry, Department of Clinical Sciences, P.O. Box 346, Ajman, UAE.
² Mansoura University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Endodontics, El-Gomhoureya Street, El-Mansoura 35516, El-Dakahleya, Egypt.

Abstract

Aims: The purpose of this study was to compare the antifungal activity of sodium hypochlorite gel to those of four intracanal medicaments at various time intervals.

Materials and methods: The agar well diffusion technique was utilized to test the antifungal activity of the following medicaments against Candida albinans (C. albicans): sodium hypochlorite gel, chlorhexidine gel, calcium hydroxide paste, Ledermix, and Diapex Plus. The inhibition zone related to each medicine was measured in millimeter after 24, 48, and 72 hours of incubation at 37°C. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Games-Howell tests, at a significance level of P < 0.05.

Results: Except for Ledermix and Diapex Plus, which had no antifungal action, all of the medicaments showed varied inhibitory zones for C. albicans. At all periods, the NaOCl gel had the most significant inhibition zones, followed by the CHX gel and calcium hydroxide. At all time intervals, the NaOCl gel demonstrated comparable antifungal efficacy. When compared to a 24-hour time interval, the CHX gel showed an increased antifungal activity at the 48-hour and 72-hour intervals. Calcium hydroxide, on the other hand, showed a decrease in its antifungal activity at the 72-hour interval.

Conclusion: The antifungal activity of sodium hypochlorite gel was the highest among the investigated medicaments. Chlorhexidine gel's antifungal activity improved over time, whereas calcium hydroxide's antifungal activity declined. Diapex Plus and Ledermix did not have any antifungal properties.