Aim: The aim of the present study was to compare the antibacterial efficiency of the anti-inflammatory non-antibiotic ibuprofen versus triple antibiotic paste as an intra-canal medication against Enterococcus faecalis.
Methodology: Forty four single rooted teeth were decoronated and instrumented up to F4 ProTaper rotary files. Apical foramen was sealed with acrylic resin, and all the external surfaces were made impermeable with nail varnish, except for the coronal access. Roots were autoclaved at 121°C for 20 minutes, placed in Eppendorf tubes and contaminated with E. faecalis for 14 days. Teeth were divided into two groups of 22 teeth; (Group1: ibuprofen, Group2: triple antibiotic paste (TAP). Colony forming unit (CFU) counts were taken before placing the intracanal medications by a paper point sampling (CFU1). The tested medicaments were mixed with distilled water (1:1 w/v), placed inside the root canals, then canals were temporarily sealed, and incubated at 37°C for 7 days. After intracanal medication removal, the second count (CFU2) was taken as (CFU1) and the antibacterial action of each medication was determined by calculating the percentage of bacterial reduction when comparing CFU2 to CFU1, and then the antibacterial action of the tested medications was compared with each other.
Results: There was no statistically significant difference between (T.A.P) and (Ibuprofen) groups in the percentage of bacterial reduction where (p=0.073). Both medications caused a reduction in the bacterial count from CFU1 to CFU2.
Conclusion: Ibuprofen proved to have an antibacterial effect comparable to that of TAP.