Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of mineral trioxide aggregate-based root canal sealeragainst Enterococcus faecalis

Objective the aim of this study was to compare the antimicrobial properties of epoxy-resin (ah plus) and mineral trioxide aggregate based root canal sealers (mta fillapex) against enterococcus faecalis. material-method the inocula of enterococcus faecalis was prepared from 12 h tryptone soy broth and suspensions were adjusted to 0.5 mc.farland (1.5x 108 cfu/ml) standard turbidity. the inoculum was spread on the blood agar broths. the freshly mixed sealers were placed into the prepared wells on the agar plates. after incubation periods of 24, 48 and 72 h the zone of growth inhibition were measured and recorded. data were analysed using paired samples t-test and student’s t test. the testing was performed at 95% level (p < 0.05). results there was no significant difference between the sealers with respect to antimicrobial activity against enterococcus faecalis (p>0.05). there was a significant difference between root canal sealers with respect to antimicrobial activity in different incubation times (p<0.05). conclusion it was found that both sealers, ah plus and mta fillapex have an antimicrobial activity against enterococcus faecalis.