Aim: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the anti-biofilm capacity of Diode laser 980 nm, triple antibiotic mixture and calcium hydroxide.
Methods: Eighty five single-rooted teeth with mature apices were prepared using Protaper Universal rotary nickel titanium system till size # F4 then contaminated with E.faecalis. Irrigation done using 2.5% sodium hypochlorite followed by 17% EDTA. Samples were divided into 4 groups (n= 20) according to the irrigant activation method. Laser group,TAP group, Ca(OH)2group and the control group. Residual bacteria were plated onto Brain Heart Infusion media and determined as colony-forming units (CFU mL-1). Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA followed by performance of Tukey post hoc tests. Significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: There was a statistically significant reduction in the mean numbers of colony-forming units among all groups. However, none of the activation methods was able to kill E. faecalis biofilm completely. The Laser group behaved most effectively among all groups.
Conclusion: The adjunctive use of 980nm laser is an effective method for bacterial reduction after chemo-mechanical instrumentation of the root canal.