Comparative evaluation of the antimicrobial efficacy of three endodontic sealers against Enterococcus faecalis with and without incorporation of Chitosan nanoparticles

Aims and Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate and to compare the antibacterial activity of AH Plus, Tubliseal and MTA Fillapex against E.faecalis with and without incorporation of Chitosan nanoparticles. Methodology: The antibacterial effect against Enterococcus faecalis was evaluated by i) direct contact test (DCT) and ii) agar diffusion test (ADT). The nanoparticles were incorporated into the sealers at concentration of 2 % weight/ weight. Bacterial growth rates were analysed using ANOVA followed by Fischer Exact Test Results: The antibacterial tests demonstrated significant E.faecalis growth inhibition in the DCT with the sealer samples incorporated with chitosan nanoparticles. Direct contact test showed total growth inhibition of up to 8 logs in count in AH Plus, up to 7 logs in count in Tubliseal, and up to 6 logs in count in MTA Fillapex which were incorporated with chitosan nanoparticles. Significant differences were found between the unmodified sealers and the modified sealers. No antibacterial effect was observed in the ADT, indicating Chitosan nanoparticles were not diffusing into the agar. Conclusion: The endodontic sealers incorporating Chitosan nanoparticles exhibited significant and stable antimicrobial properties.