SHORT REPORT ANTIMICROBIAL EFFICACY OF PULPOTOMY MATERIALS AGAINST CARIOGENIC BACTERIA: AN IN VITRO COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

The presence of cariogenic bacteria adversely affects pulp therapy outcome by directly influencing the healing process and long-term prognosis of treated teeth.  This study compared the antimicrobial efficacy of five commonly used pulp therapy materials, namely formocresol (FC), NeoMTA®, NeoPUTTY™, ProRoot® MTA, and zinc oxide-eugenol (ZOE), against four cariogenic bacteria, Actinomyces viscosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Streptococcus mutans.  All five materials exhibited antibacterial activity against the test bacteria.  FC demonstrated the most potent bactericidal property, particularly against L. acidophilus and S. mutans, followed by ZOE, then the mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)-based materials.  However, other properties, such as bioactivity and biocompatibility, must also be considered before recommending the use of these materials in pulpotomy.