Antibacterial Efficacy and Discoloration Potential of Topical Antibiotics Used in Regenerative Endodontic Therapy

Abstract

Objective: The present study was conducted to determine the minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations and discolouration potential of various topical antibiotics that include triple antibiotic paste (TAP), Augmentin and Tetracycline against the pathogens that cause endodontic lesions in an ex-vivo study evaluation.

Materials and Methods: Minimum bactericidal and inhibitory concentrations of the concerned antibiotic were evaluated by Epsilometer test method against various pathogens that included Porphyromonas, Fusobacterium, Enterococcus and Streptococcus Intermedius. 104 extracted single-rooted teeth were selected for study purpose and the biofilm for the selected species were grown in extracted teeth for 21 days under strict anaerobic condition. TAP, Augmentin and Tetracycline were then infused in the root canal in the concentration of 0.1 mg/ml, 1 mg/ml in degradable hydrogel scaffold and pure TAP at the concentration of 1 g/ml for 7 days initially.

Results: The minimum inhibitory concentration/minimum bactericidal concentration of TAP at 1g/ml was highest, while comparing the efficacies of three antibiotics at the concentration of 1 mg/ml the following order was observed TAP>Augmentin>Tetracycline. No bacterial growth was found for TAP at 1 g/ml whereas at the concentration of 1 mg/ml the least growth was observed with TAP followed by Augmentin and Tetracycline. The log 10 colony-forming unit of all experimental groups show significant differences (p<0.05). The greatest discolouration was observed by TAP at the conc. of 1g/mL and the change of colour with Augmentin/hydrogel scaffold at the concentration of 1mg/ml was minimal.

Conclusion: The hydrogel scaffold of TAP, Augmentin and Tetracycline shows a significant reduction in bacterial growth with minimal change in colour at the concentration of 1 mg/ml.