In vitro antibacterial activity of three root canal sealers against Enterococcus Faecalis

The antibacterial activity of root canal sealers may contribute to the eradication of remaining bacteria in root canals following canal shaping and debridement. The aim of the study is to assess the antimicrobial effect of 3 endodontic sealers: Sealapex™, EndoREZ™ and Guttaflow bioseal™ against Enterococcus faecalis. This was a laboratory-based comparative study testing the antimicrobial activity of three endodontic sealers against Enterococcus faecalis. The endodontic sealers were tested unset 20 minutes after mixing and after setting. Testing after setting enabled the assessment of the antimicrobial activity of aged sealers after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. A total of 150 samples were used for the study. The tested sealers were divided into 3 groups: • Group 1 (EndoREZ™) n = 45 plates, n = 5 control plates. • Group 2 (Guttaflow bioseal™) n = 45, n = 5 control plates. • Group 3 (Sealapex™) n = 45, n = 5 control plates. All the materials exhibited some activity against the bacteria. The overall greatest antibacterial activity can be seen by Guttaflow bioseal™ (4.46, 0.01) on day 21, followed by Sealapex™ (5.12, 0.05) on day 7 and EndoREZ™ (6.37,0.08) on day 14. Under the conditions of this study all the endodontic sealers exhibited some antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis with different behaviour patterns at different times.