Ultrasonic wave’s influence on the changes of the number of bacteria in the infected root canal

Myong-Un, Ri; Myong-Gil, Ri; Gyong-Il, Ju; Son-Yong, Yun; Gyong-Sok, Ri; Chang-Song, Kim

doi:10.4103/kamj.kamj_24_18

Ultrasonic wave’s influence on the changes of the number of bacteria in the infected root canal

Authors

Abstract

Background
We have focused on the making an attempt toward making ultrasonic scaler available for the endodontic treatment and assess the changes in the bacterial numbers in the infected root canal when using it.
Materials and methods
An ultrasonic root canal irrigator was used. A sterilized paper point was inserted in the root canal of the tooth that had been clinically diagnosed as having necrosis of the pulp. After a few minutes, it was suspended in the transport culture medium of 1 ml. This suspension was diluted 10 times and inoculated in the thioglycolate agar medium to calculate the number of alive bacteria.
Results
Ultrasonic irrigation leads to the remarkable reduction in the number of bacteria in the infected root canal, and bactericidal rate was 99.88% and treatment efficacy was 95.6% when combined with canal irrigants.
Conclusion
Ultrasonic wave showed remarkable irrigation effect and higher antibacterial rate when combined with various irrigants; however, it alone cannot kill 100% of bacteria in the infected root canal.

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