Comparative Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficacy of Teicoplanin as Intracanal Medicament against Enterococcus Faecalis, Candida Albicans: An In Vitro Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial efficacy of Teicoplanin against Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans relative to Calcium Hydroxide and Double Antibiotic Paste.

Methodology: Human extracted teeth (n=100) were collected, access opening and Biomechanical preparation was done and devided into two groups depending on the type of organism inoculated: Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans. Each group was devided into four groups depending on the intracanal medicaments used (Teicoplanin, Double Antibiotic Paste (DAP), Calcium Hydroxide and Normal Saline (control) ).The respective medicaments were applied and the treatments were maintained for a 14-day period. Following this treatment, dentin samples were collected using a GG drill, and microbial growth was evaluated by measuring the colony-forming units (CFU) for both bacterial (Enterococcus faecalis) and fungal (Candida albicans) pathogens.

Results: Statistical analysis confirmed that Teicoplanin was significantly more effective than Calcium Hydroxide for both Enterococcus faecalis (p = 0.02) and Candida albicans (p = 0.03). However, there was no significant difference in efficacy between Teicoplanin and DAP for either pathogen.

Conclusion: Teicoplanin is a highly effective intracanal medicament for eliminating both Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans, making it a promising alternative to conventional medicaments like Calcium Hydroxide and DAP in endodontic treatments.