Comparative evaluation of the antifungal efficacy of silver nanoparticles and 3% sodium hypochlorite against candida albicans when used as root canal irrigants –an invitro study

Introduction: Residual microorganisms in the root canal system after endodontic therapy such as Candida albicans are a major cause of endodontic failure. In this study new nanobased irrigant silver nanoparticles is used as root canal irrigant and its efficacy is compared with sodium hypochlorite which is considered as a gold standard root canal irrigant against candida albicans.

Materials and Methodology: Thirty extracted human single rooted teeth were collected and decoronated. Biomechanical preparation was done and root surfaces were coated with nail varnish. Teeth were sterilized in autoclave. Specimens were inoculated with candida albicans strain and incubated for 3 days and were randomly divided into 3 groups. The specimens were irrigated as follows GROUP A- 0.9 % saline, GROUP B- 3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), and GROUP C-0.005% silver nanoparticles (AgNP). Aliquots from experimental teeth were transferred onto sabourauds dextrose agar using H files and colony forming units were counted.

Results: The data was statistically analyzed with Willcoxon signed rank test and Mann Whitney test. There was a statistical significant reduction of candida albicans when NaOCl and AgNP were used as irrigant. But when intergroup NaOCl and AgNP were compared, there was no statistical significant difference.

Conclusion: The results obtained concluded that 0.005% AgNP is equally efficient as 3% NaOCl.