Comparative evaluation of antibacterial activity of chlorhexidine, sodium hypochlorite and normal saline with passive ultrasonic irrigation against enterococcus Faecalis: An in vitro study

Introduction: The purpose of the present in vitro study was to compare and evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of 6% sodium hypochlorite, 2% chlorhexidine and 0.9% normal saline using passive ultrasonic irrigation technique against enterococcus faecalis in root canals. Material and Method: Total forty extracted human single rooted teeth were selected and divided into experimental and control group. Access cavities were prepared and specimen decoronated to standardized root length. ATCC 35550, MTCC code 4399 of pure culture of Enterococcus Faecalis has been used in this study. All selected cases were inoculated with E.Faecalis and subjected to Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation using aforesaid solutions. Four mm of root apex were cut with sterile disc and the cut apical third were dropped directly into Trypton Soya broth agar for 48 hours. Results were subjected to statistical analysis and 6% sodium hypochlorite was found best against E.Faecalis when used with passive ultrasonic irrigation.