In Vitro Antimicrobial Effects of Endoseal MTA and AH Plus Sealers on Enterococcus Faecalis and Candida Albicans Mature Biofilms

<b>Objectives:</b> This study compared the antimicrobial effects of Endoseal MTA and AH Plus sealers on <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i> (<i>E. faecalis</i>) and <i>Candida albicans</i> (<i>C. albicans</i>) mature biofilms on dentin blocks. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> In this in vitro study, the root canals of 207 dentin blocks sectioned from the roots of extracted teeth were inoculated with <i>E. faecalis</i> and <i>C. albicans</i>, and incubated for 3 weeks. The specimens were evaluated in 12 groups (n=17) for random root canal filling with AH Plus, Endoseal MTA, or no sealer, and assessment after 24 hours and 2 weeks. Dentin chips were cultured on blood agar, and the colonies were counted. One random specimen from each group was assessed under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests with Bonferroni adjustment at 0.05 level of significance. <b>Results:</b> At 24 hours, Endoseal MTA significantly decreased the <i>E. faecalis</i> count compared with the positive control (P<0.008). At 2 weeks, the colony count of both microorganisms was significantly lower in the AH Plus group compared with the control group (P<0.008). The <i>C. albicans</i> colony count in the Endoseal MTA group was significantly lower than that in the control group at 2 weeks (P<0.008). AH Plus caused significantly greater reduction in <i>C. albicans</i> colony count at 2 weeks compared with Endoseal MTA (P<0.008). <b>Conclusion:</b> AH Plus showed a higher antimicrobial activity over time against both <i>E. faecalis</i> and <i>C. albicans</i>. Endoseal MTA only showed short-term antibacterial effect.