Abstract

Objective: To compare the in-vitro antibacterial efficacy in terms of enterococcus faecalis elimination of conventional unmodified calcium hydroxide paste with an experimental calcium hydroxide impregnated with 1% silver nanoparticles.
Methods: This in vitro study was conducted during the period July 2019 – January 2020 at Materials Research Laboratory, Centralized Resource Laboratory (University of Peshawar) and Pathology Laboratory (Peshawar Medical College). Sixty human single rooted premolars with mature apices were obtained. These were randomly divided into two groups (n=30); experimental group for testing the antibacterial efficacy of calcium hydroxide impregnated with 0.1% by weight silver nanoparticles and the other was used as a control group for testing the antibacterial efficacy of unmodified calcium hydroxide. Dentine specimens (size 4 x 4x 1mm) were prepared from the teeth using slow speed cutting saw machine. Smear layer was removed with EDTA. Specimens were autoclaved to sterilize them. Then each specimen was contaminated with enterococcus faecalis and incubated anaerobically at 37ᵒC for 24 hours. After the application of medicaments, the zone of inhibition was measured and number of viable bacteria were determined using SEM. Statistical significance was determined using Independent t-test. p

Key words: Silver nanoparticles, Calcium hydroxide, Root canal infections, Root canal medicament.