The Differential Effectiveness of Calcium Hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) Combination with Chlorhexidine Digluconate (CHX) 2% and Clindamycin Hydrochloride 5% Against Enterococcus faecalis (in vitro)

Abstract

Background: The main factor causing failure of root canal treatment is re-infection of the bacterium Enterococcus faecalis, so it is necessary to give the right intracanal medicament. Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) is an intracanal medicament often used in endodontic treatment. To increase the effectiveness of calcium hydroxide, a mixing agent is needed. Mixing agents such as Chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) 2% (aqueous) and Clindamycin hydrochloride 5% (viscous). The viscous mixing agent can penetrate well into the dentinal tubules, and the antibiotic can fight various root canal endodontic pathogens and dentinal tubules without causing discoloration. This study aims to determine the differential effectiveness of calcium hydroxide combination of chlorhexidine digluconate 2% and Clindamycin hydrochloride 5% as an intracanal medicament against Enterococcus faecalis (in vitro). Methods: The design was in vitro experimental laboratories that tested the value of turbidity (Optical Density) using a spectrophotometer before and after being treated. Data were analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis test and then Mann-Whitney U Test. Results: The positive control group had the largest negative Optical Density (OD) difference, followed by a calcium hydroxide combination of Chlorhexidine digluconate 2%, and the third sequence was a calcium hydroxide combination of Clindamycin hydrochloride 5%. A negative OD difference indicates a decrease in the number of bacterial cells. Conclusion: There are differences in the effectiveness of the antibacterial of intracanal medicament calcium hydroxide combination of Chlorhexidine digluconate 2% and calcium hydroxide combination of Clindamycin hydrochloride 5%.