Comparison of antimicrobial effect of various oils mixed with zinc oxide – an ex vivo, in vitro study

Abstract

Background. Success of endodontic treatment depends on complete elimination and various factors such as the antimicrobial activity of the obturating materials. Therefore a study was conducted to find the most prevalent species in the infected canals of primary teeth and to compare the antimicrobial effect of zinc oxide with various oils against most prevalent root canal pathogens. Materials and method. The study was conducted on 100 children in the age group of 3 to 12 years with infected root canal in primary teeth. The sample was subjected to various microbiological analysis to identify the colonies. Following identification, the most common organism was taken and antimicrobial activity of zinc oxide eugenol, zinc oxide with coconut oil, zinc oxide with peppermint oil, zinc oxide with cinnamon oil, zinc oxide with tea tree oil on plates were tested. The zone of inhibition was measured and datas were tested for statistical significance. Results. Enterococcus faecalis was the most prevalent organism. It was seen that zinc oxide with tea tree oil had shown maximum antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis followed by zinc oxide with coconut oil, zinc oxide with peppermint oil, zinc oxide with cinnamon oil and zinc oxide with eugenol. Conclusions. The study shows that Enterococcus faecalis was the most prevalent microbe in the infected root canals of primary molars. Zinc oxide with oil mixtures also has shown significant antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis when compared to zinc oxide eugenol.

Keywords

• antimicrobial activity
• zinc oxide
• enterococcus faecalis
• streptococcus mutans
• essential oils