Comparative evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of calcium hydroxide, Himalayan pink salt as an intracanal medicament against Enterococcus faecalis

Abstract

Context: Microorganisms play an important role in the etiology of pulp and periapical diseases. For successful endodontic treatment, their control and elimination is important. The microorganisms may remain after root canal preparation intracanal medicament help in reducing remaining microorganism and can provide a favorable environment for periapical tissue repair. The increase in side effects and safety concerns of conventional medicaments has led to the recent popularity of herbal alternative medications. Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the effectiveness of calcium hydroxide and Himalayan pink salt for the elimination of Enterococcus faecalis bacteria in extracted teeth samples. Materials and Method: Sixty extracted single-rooted human permanent teeth randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 − Control (n = 15); Group 2 − Ca (OH)2 (n = 15), Group 3 − Himalayan Pink Salt (n = 15), and Group 4 − Ca (OH)2 and Himalayan pink salt (n = 15). The intracanal medicaments were placed in teeth specimen infected with E. faecalis incubated in the anaerobic condition for 37°C. Dentine shavings were collected from the specimens at different time interval at the 1st, 3rd, and 5th day and planted on agar plates. Colony-forming units (CFUs) were further be counted. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were statistically analyzed with the one-way analysis of variance, followed by Scheffe's multiple comparisons means to check the differences in CFU count between the groups (P < 0.05). Results: The present study showed that Himalayan pink salt exerted antibacterial activity in combination with calcium hydroxide.