Comparison of Debridement Efficacy of EndoVacTM and Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation in vitro

Hypothesis: Combining the use of EndoVacTM and Passive Ultrasonic Activator in our irrigation protocol will be more effective against E. faecalis biofilm than conventional needle irrigation, EndoVacTM, or Passive Ultrasonic alone. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of EndoVac TM and Passive Ultrasonic Activator in combination against a monospecies Enterococcus faecalis biofilm. Conventional needle irrigation will serve as the control. Methods: A monospecies E.faecalis biofilm was inoculated for 28 days on sterile 40 single canal anteriors or premolars, standardized to 16mm in length and embedded in acrylic mould. The teeth were randomized into 4 treatment groups( n=10) (conventional needle irrigation-Grp 1, PUI- Grp 2, EndoVac™-Grp 3 and PUI and EndoVacTM- grp -4). S1 samples were taken prior to instrumentation and irrigation. The teeth then instrumented with rotaries to size #35.04 and irrigated with 8ml 5.25% NaOCl and 3ml 17íTA with the use of predetermined irrigation protocol. S2 samples were taken after the instrumentation and irrigation. S3 sample was collected after enlarging the canal to 45.04. Samples were cultured in blood agar plates and CFU were counted after 48 hrs inoculation. Data were analyzed using ANOVA (P< 0.5) Results: No difference was found between any of the 4 treatment groups. No bacterial growth was found at S2 and S3 sample. S1 had homogenous bacterial growth. Conclusions: All the irrigation and activation protocols in our study showed complete elimination of viable bacteria using current tooth model and culture condition. Needle irrigation is as effective as EndoVacTM and Passive Ultrasonic Activator alone or in combination.