Antimicrobial Effect of Calcium Hydroxide Combined with Electrolyzed Superoxidized Solution at Neutral pH on Enterococcus faecalis Growth

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the effect of the combination of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) and a novel electrolyzed superoxidized solution at neutral pH, known as OxOral® on Enterococcus faecalis growth in root canals. Methods. Sixty human teeth were used, from which root canals were infected and randomly divided into the following treatment groups: saline solution, saline solution plus Ca(OH)2, OxOral®, and OxOral® plus Ca(OH)2. Results. A permanent reduction in bacterial growth was observed at days 1, 6, 12, and 18 after OxOral® plus Ca(OH)2 treatment from $4.4\pm 0.074{\log }_{10}\text{CFU}/\text{mL}$ to $0.0\pm 0.001{\log }_{10}\text{CFU}/\text{mL}$ . In addition, alkaline conditions maintenance was observed from application time ( $\text{pH}=12.2\pm 0.033$ ) to 18 d posttreatment ( $\text{pH}=12.6\pm 0.083$ ). Conclusion. The combination of OxOral® and Ca(OH)2 provides an alkaline pH and inhibits E. faecalis growth into the root canals. Our study opens the possibility for further research on the use of OxOral® in endodontic therapy.