Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Silver Nanoparticle-Incorporated Endodontic Sealers Against Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus
Silver Nanoparticles; Endoflas; AH Plus; Endodontic Sealer; Enterococcus Faecalis; Staphylococcus Aureus; Bacterial Viability.
AuthorAbstractThis in-vitro experiment compared the antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticle-impregnated endodontic sealers to Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus at the sealer-dentin interface. Endoflas and AH Plus are two endodontic sealers that were impregnated with silver nanoparticles in concentration of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.5%. Removed single-rooted human teeth were cut into blocks of dentin, incubated individually with E. faecalis and S. aureus, and subjected to the experimental and control sealer formulations. Confocal laser scanning microscopy in conjunction with LIVE/DEAD bacterial viability staining was used to determine bacterial viability. Live bacterial cells were green fluorescence, and non-viable cells were red fluorescence. These findings revealed that there was a reduction in the percentage of live bacteria with respect to concentration post incorporation of the silver nanoparticles. Endoflas + 0.5 percent silver nanoparticles proved to be the most effective formulation tested, with a significant difference in bacterial viability, in particular against E. faecalis. AH Plus, too, displayed enhanced antimicrobial activity following incorporation with silver nanoparticle although the effect was more pronounced at elevated concentrations. E. faecalis tended to be more persistent than S. aureus, particularly in the AH Plus and the silver nanoparticle-alone group. In general, the results indicate that silver nanoparticles can be used to augment the antimicrobial efficacy of endodontic sealers and minimize the remaining bacteria survival at the sealer-dentin interface. Additional research is needed to determine the long-term antimicrobial stability, cytotoxicity, biocompatibility, and physical characteristics before clinical use. 1. Introduction The microbial nature of endodontic infections is mostly persistent as microorganisms can enter the anatomical complexities within dentinal tubules, lateral canals, isthmuses, and sealer-dentin interface. Despite chemomechanical preparation and irrigation, biofilms can still harbor residual bacteria, which are less susceptible to traditional antimicrobial agents. The ongoing survival of microorganisms is a significant issue since it may undermine periapical healing and be a predisposing factor to posttreatment disease. Thus, antimicrobial activity can be taken as a significant feature of endodontic materials, in particular, sealers, which continue to be in direct contact with dentinal walls following obturation. Sealers with improved antibacterial potential may help reduce residual bacterial viability at the sealer–dentin interface and improve the biological success of root canal treatment [1,2]. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ejprd.org- Published by Riset Publishing Services LLC.
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