Antimicrobial effect of bioceramic sealer in necrotic primary molars

Abstract Background Pulpally infected primary teeth should be retained until exfoliation whenever possible, as deciduous teeth are ideal space maintainers. Removing bacteria from the root canal is essential for a successful root canal treatment. Therefore, the present study compared the antimicrobial effects of resorbable bioceramic sealer with pastes of calcium hydroxide and iodoform mixed with zinc oxide and zinc oxide eugenol when used as intracanal medication on microorganisms of necrotic primary molars. The materials used in the study were: Paste A: Non-setting calcium hydroxide paste mixed with iodoform, Paste B: Zinc oxide eugenol, Paste C: Metapex with zinc oxide, Paste D: Metapex with zinc oxide eugenol, Paste E: Bio-C Pulpecto. Polymicrobial growth inhibition zone diameters around each of the five pastes were measured in mm to determine antimicrobial activity. The collected data were presented, tabulated, and statistically analyzed. Results Comparison among all groups demonstrated a significant difference between them ( P < 0.0001) using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Furthermore, Dunn's multiple comparisons test revealed that: Paste C (0.93 ± 3.55) and Paste A (2.13 ± 2.67) exhibited significantly the lowest antibacterial activity with no significant difference between them. Subsequently, Paste D (5.2 ± 5.89) and Paste E (8.73 ± 1.36) displayed no significant difference between them. In contrast, Paste B (11.8 ± 1.58) demonstrated significantly the highest antibacterial activity. Conclusions Bioceramic sealers could be utilized as filling material for root canal in primary molars because of their antimicrobial and biological properties.