Antimicrobial effects of calcium hydroxide, chlorhexidine, and propolis on Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans

Aim To evaluate the efficacy of calcium hydroxide ( C a[ OH ] 2 ), 2% chlorhexidine ( CHX ) gel, and propolis against both E nterococcus faecalis ( E . faecalis ) and C andida albicans ( C . albicans ) using infected dentine models at two different depths (100 and 200 μm) after 14 days of application. Methods A total of 120 roots of extracted single‐rooted human teeth were chemo‐mechanically prepared and sterilized. Sixty roots were infected with E . faecalis , and the remaining 60 with C . albicans . Each group was divided into four subgroups ( n = 15) to apply intracanal medicaments, namely saline solution (negative control), C a( OH ) 2 , CHX , and propolis during the 14 days. Dentine shavings were collected and cultivated. Colony‐forming units (c.f.u.) were registered. Statistical analysis was done using the K ruskal– W allis test, followed by D unn's/ B onferroni multiple comparison test ( P < 0.05). Results All experimental agents significantly reduced E . faecalis c.f.u. There was no significant difference between CHX and propolis reducing E . faecalis c.f.u. at 100 and 200 μm. Only CHX had a statistically‐significant antifungal efficacy in the C . albicans group at the two depths assessed. CHX was the most potent medicament against both E . faecalis and C . albicans , and C a( OH ) 2 was the least. Conclusion Both CHX and propolis were the most effective against E . faecalis , whereas only CHX had the highest antifungal activity on C . albicans in dentine of extracted teeth.