Abstract Background: Successful endodontic treatment relies heavily on the complete elimination of root canal pathogens, especially anaerobic bacteria like Fusobacterium nucleatum , a key contributor to endodontic infections. Bioceramic root canal sealers have gained popularity for their excellent sealing ability, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial potential. However, comparative evidence regarding their efficacy against F . nucleatum remains limited. Aim: This in vitro study aimed to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial efficacy of three bioceramic sealers – BioRoot™ RCS, Cerafill RCS, and Bio-C Sealer with Calapex, a calcium hydroxide-based sealer, against F . nucleatum . Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial activity of four root canal sealers, Calapex, BioRoot™ RCS, Cerafill RCS, and Bio-C Sealer, against F. nucleatum (ATCC 23726) was tested using agar well diffusion to assess the zone of inhibition and broth microdilution to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The bacterial cultures were incubated anaerobically at 37°C in Nutrient Broth and standardized to 0.5 McFarland. All procedures were performed in triplicate. Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) in IBM SPSS Statistics Version 30.0, with significance set at P < 0.05. Results: A significant, concentration-dependent reduction in antimicrobial activity was observed across all the groups in the zone of inhibition test. The MIC was determined to be 0.9 μg/mL for all the four groups by the broth microdilution assay. One-way ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences among the groups, with Group II (BioRoot™ RCS) demonstrating the highest inhibitory effect. Conclusion: The sustained alkaline pH, steady release of calcium ions, and potent bioactive properties of BioRoot™ RCS are considered the main reasons for its antibacterial effectiveness.
Jeyachandran et al. (Wed,) studied this question.