Introduction: The present study evaluated the antimicrobial efficacy of Endosequence bioceramic sealer(BC) and after incorporation of silver and chitosan nanoparticles(NPs). Methods: Thirty extracted human maxillary anterior teeth were decapitated at the level of cement-enamel junction. Samples were randomly divided into three experimental groups (10 teeth each) according to the tested materials as follows: Group I: Endosequence BC, Group II:Endosequence BC+Silver NPs and Group III: Endosequence BC+Chitosan NPs. Silver and chitosan NPs were synthesized and
characterized then, pastes of both NPs were prepared. Root canal enlargement was
performed. Clinical isolate of E. faecalis was inoculated. Endosequence BC sealer was used according to manufacturer's instructions. Silver NP and Endosequence BC sealer were incorporated using the calibrated syringe of the sealer and a micro-pipette to add the nanoparticles in the pre-determined concentration of 2.3% by volume. Chitosan NP was incorporated at a concentration of 15% by volume.
Results: There was a statistically significant difference between EndoSequence BC as well as EndoSequence BC+Silver NPs groups and EndoSequence BC+Chitosan NPs group (p=0.007). No significant difference was recorded between EndoSequence BC and EndoSequence BC+Silver NPs groups (p>0.05). The highest value representing highest bacterial growth was found in EndoSequence BC+Chitosan NPs (0.19±0.01), followed by EndoSequence BC (0.18±0.01), while the lowest value representing lowest bacterial growth was found in EndoSequence BC+Silver NPs (0.17±0.01). All tested materials had bactericidal effect and eliminated E. faecalis on trypticase soy agar.
Conclusions: Addition of silver and chitosan NPs to Endosequence BC sealer did not
significantly increase its anti-microbial efficacy against E. fecalis.