Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Nitrofurantoin antibiotic as intracanal medicament on Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) count in comparison to Modified triple antibiotic paste and Double antibiotic paste.
Materials and Methods: Fifty two freshly extracted human single-rooted mandibular premolars teeth were selected, root canal prepared and inoculated with E. faecalis for 48 hours. After the incubation period, the teeth were randomly allocated into 4 groups (n=13) according to the tested intracanal medicament. Group 1) Nitrofurantoin antibiotic (Nit), Group 2) Modified triple antibiotic paste (MTAP) composed of clindamycin, ciprofloxacin and metronidazole, Group 3) Double antibiotic paste (DAP) composed of Ciprofloxacin and metronidazole and Group 4) Methylcelluolse paste (MC) (Control). The medicaments were prepared and placed inside the canals then were left for 7 days. After the incubation period, the medicaments were removed and a sample was taken from the canal using the paper point technique then bacterial count reduction using colony forming unit was counted. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test. The significance level was set at P ≤ 0.05.
Results: a statistically significant bacterial reduction was found in Nit, MTAP and DAP groups compared to MC (control) group while no statistically significant difference was found between Nit, MTAP and DAP.
Conclusion: Nit antibiotic can be used as intracanal medicament owing to its antibacterial effect.