Comparison of Antifungal Activity of 2% Chlorhexidine, Calcium Hydroxide, and Nanosilver Gels Against Candida Albicans

Objectives: residual microorganisms in the root canal system (rcs) after endodontic therapy such as candida albicans are a major cause of endodontic failure. calcium hy-droxide (ch) and chlorhexidine (chx) have suitable antimicrobial activity against bacte-ria and can be used as intracanal medicaments. nanosilver has also shown antimicrobial activity against microorganisms. this study aimed to compare the antifungal effect of cal-cium hydroxide, 2% chlorhexidine and nanosilver gels on candida albicans.materials and methods: eighty-one single-rooted teeth were selected. after root canal preparation, the teeth were contaminated. after culture, the teeth were randomly divided into 4 groups. in experimental groups, 24 teeth were selected and completely filled with ch, 2% chx and nanosilver gels in each group. nine teeth were selected in the control group and filled with saline solution. after 1, 3, and 7 days, samples were obtained by #30 sterile paper points, and #2 and #4 gates glidden drills and cultured on solid sabouraud agar.results: the results demonstrated that ch and 2% chx had equal antifungal effects on samples taken by paper point and #2 gates glidden drill at all time points. both ch and 2% chx were more effective than nanosilver at all time periods. there was no statistical-ly significant difference between medicaments in samples taken by #4 gates glidden drill.conclusion: ch and 2% chx gels have significantly higher antifungal activity than na-nosilver gel. also, ch and 2% chx gels are equally effective against candida albicans.