The Effectiveness of Aqueous Propolis Extract in Reducing the <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i> Count in Primary Teeth: An In Vitro Study

<b>Objective:</b> To evaluate the efficacy of 11% aqueous propolis extract in eliminating <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i> in necrotic pulp canals of primary anterior teeth compared to 2.5% sodium hypochlorite. <b>Materials</b> and Methods: <i>E. faecalis</i> were isolated from necrotic primary anterior teeth with periapical lesions, cultured, and incubated using paper points. The research sample comprised 30 extracted single-rooted necrotic primary anterior teeth, divided equally into two groups according to the irrigants used. Access cavities were prepared, and working lengths were determined. Afterward, canals were shaped using K-files, contaminated with <i>E. faecalis</i>, and placed in an incubator for a week. Initial microbial swabs were taken, and then each canal was irrigated with either 3 mL of a hand-made 11% aqueous propolis extract or 3 mL of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite for 5 min. Postirrigation microbial swabs were taken, cultured on blood agar plates, and incubated at 37°C for 48 h, followed by colony counts. Statistical tests included the paired sample <i>T</i>-test, Wilcoxon signed ranks, and Mann-Whitney <i>U</i> tests. The significance level was set at <i>α</i> = 0.05. <b>Results:</b> In total, 11% aqueous propolis extract contributed to a 61.8% reduction in <i>E. faecalis</i> (<i>p</i> < 0.001), while 2.5% sodium hypochlorite contributed to an 84.1% reduction (<i>p</i> < 0.001). The average change in logarithmic values in the sodium hypochlorite group was more significant than in the propolis group (<i>p</i>=0.002). <b>Conclusion:</b> In total, 11% aqueous propolis extract is antimicrobial against <i>E. faecalis</i>. However, its efficacy was less than 2.5% sodium hypochlorite.