AN IN VITRO COMPARISON OF ANTIMICROBIAL EFFICACY OF 5% AND 10% ALOE VERA GEL TO 5.25% SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE AND THEIR EFFECTIVENESS IN DECONTAMINATING GUTTA PERCHA CONES.

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of 5% and 10% aloe vera gel with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite and compare the effectiveness in decontaminating gutta-percha cones.

Materials and Method: Freshly collected aloe vera pulp was dried in an oven at 80°C for 48 hours and then powdered,

out of which 5% and 10% of Aloe vera gel was made by dissolving it in ethanol. Antimicrobial efficacy was checked for both the concentrations of Aloe vera gel and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite using agar well diffusion method against E coli, E faecalis and Staph. aureus which are three common gutta percha contaminants. To check the decontamination efficacy, the DiaDent gutta percha points was used. They were decontaminated for 1 minute using two different concentrations of aloe vera gel and 5.25% NaOCl and then they were placed in thioglycolate broth for the development of turbidity. The statistical analysis was carried out using chi square test at 5% level of significance.

Results: The antimicrobial efficacy was assessed by the presence of zones of inhibition. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference in antimicrobial efficacy of 10% aloe vera and 5.25% NaOCl and also 10% aloe vera and 5.25% NaOCl are equally effective in decontaminating gutta percha cones and exhibited better effectiveness than 5% aloe vera.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that 10% Aloe vera gel can be used effectively for decontaminating GP cones within a short duration