Evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of sodium dichloroisocyanurate as an intracanal medicament against Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans.

Various formulations of medicaments have been used to eradicate Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans in secondary endodontic infection. Sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) has proven potency to act against E. faecalis. However, research against both E. faecalis and C. albicans as an intracanal medicament at different time intervals is yet to be evaluated. The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of NaDCC against E. faecalis and C. albicans. Ninety-six mandibular single-rooted premolars were randomly divided into two groups for inoculation of E. faecalis and C. albicans. They were then divided into four groups: Group 1 was treated with ketoconazole, Group 2 with NaDCC, Group 3 with calcium hydroxide (CH), and Group 4 with 2% chlorhexidine. These medicaments were placed inside the root canal using lentulo spirals, sealed, and incubated under aerobic conditions. At the end of 3 and 7 days, the antimicrobial efficacy was assessed by calculating the colony forming unit/mL (CFU/ml) against E. faecalis and C. albicans using a digital colony counter. Analysis of variance and paired t-test were used for statistical analysis. NaDCC exhibited superior results against E. faecalis and C. albicans after 3 and 7 days compared to chlorhexidine and CH. NaDCC can be considered a potential alternative to calcium hydroxide and chlorhexidine as an intracanal medicament for effective root canal disinfection and in secondary endodontic infection.