JOE sept 2013 - Comparative Antibacterial Efficacies of Hydrodynamic and Ultrasonic Irrigation Systems In Vitro

Comparative Antibacterial Efficacies of Hydrodynamic and Ultrasonic Irrigation Systems In Vitro

Georg Cachovan, DMD,* Ulrich Schiffner, DMD, PhD,* Saskia Altenhof, DMD,*

Arndt Guentsch, DMD, PhD,† Wolfgang Pfister, MD, PhD,‡ and Sigrun Eick, DMD§

Introduction: To ensure root canal treatment success, endodontic microbiota should be efficiently reduced. The in vitro bactericidal effects of a hydrodynamic system and a passive ultrasonic irrigation system were compared. Methods: Single-rooted extracted teeth (n = 250) were contaminated with suspensions of Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, mixed aerobic cultures, or mixed anaerobic cultures. First, the antibacterial effects of the hydrodynamic system (RinsEndo), a passive ultrasonic irrigation system (Piezo smart), and manual rinsing with 0.9% NaCl (the control) were compared. Colony forming units were counted. Second, the 2 systems were used with 1.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) alone or NaOCl + 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX). The colony-forming units in the treated and untreated roots were determined during a period of 5 days. Results: Both irrigation systems reduced bacterial numbers more effectively than manual rinsing (P < .001). With NaCl, ultrasonic activated irrigation reduced bacterial counts significantly better than hydrodynamic irrigation (P = .042). The NaOCl + CHX combination was more effective than NaOCl alone for both systems (P < .001), but hydrodynamic irrigation was more effective with NaOCl + CHX than the passive ultrasonic irrigation system. Conclusions: Both irrigation systems, when combined with NaOCl + CHX, removed bacteria from root canals. 

(J Endod 2013;39:1171–1175)

Key Words

Antimicrobial activity, Enterococcus faecalis, hydro- dynamic irrigation, passive ultrasonic irrigation 

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