To compare the antibacterial effects of various root canal irrigants against E.faecalis. Irrigants tested were 5.25% NaOCl, 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate, and 0.2% cetrimide individually and combined.

Root canal preparation was performed on 120 extracted permanent maxillary central and lateral incisor teeth. Following root canal preparation, apical foramina were sealed with epoxy resin to prevent bacterial leakage. The root canals were then contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis. After incubation, the contaminated roots were divided into four groups of 30 each. 2 mm of irrigant was delivered which remained in the canal for 10 minutes. The canals were then irrigated with 1 ml saline solution and with size 45 sterile paper point bacteria were sampled. The growth of E. faecalis which occurred in the tubes was inoculated onto blood agar plates.

Difference between the antibacterial efficacies of irrigants was evaluated statistically using chi-square test.

There was no significant difference between the antibacterial efficacies of 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate alone and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate with 0.2% cetrimide, but both had a significantly lower antibacterial effect than 5.25% sodium hypochlorite and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite with 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate. This difference was statistically significant.

Within limitations of this study, it was concluded that the 5.25% sodium hypochlorite and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite with 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate had a higher antibacterial effect than 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate alone and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate with cetrimide. There was no significant difference between the antibacterial efficacies of 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate alone and 0.25% chlorhexidine with certrimide.