Antibacterial effect and smear layer removal ability of herbal intra-canal irrigants in primary teeth

Natural irrigants, specifically when used with children are important as they have fewer adverse effects. Objectives: To evaluate the antibacterial effect and smear layer removal ability of sage versus turmeric irrigants. Methods: 60 roots of primary teeth were inoculated with E. faecalis and randomly allocated to the following subgroups (12 roots each): Subgroup (I): 0.2% sage solution, Subgroup (II): 12.5% turmeric solution, Subgroup (III): 2% chlorhexidine solution, Subgroup (IV): contaminated only, Subgroup (V): negative controls. Microbiological culturing was performed. Assessment of the smear layer removal ability, 40 roots (10 roots in each group) were randomly divided; Subgroup 1: 0.2% Sage solution. Subgroup 2: 12.5% turmeric solution. Subgroup 3: 2% chlorohexidine. Subgroup 4: saline. The evaluation of smear layer removal was performed by SEM. Results: Chlorohexidine showed the highest percentage reduction in bacterial count followed by turmeric, then the sage group. A comparison of the smear layer removal, scores showed significant differences in the middle section of the different groups, with the turmeric group having a significantly higher median score than the sage group. Conclusion: chlorohexidine showed the highest antibacterial properties and smear layer removal ability followed by turmeric then sage.