LAUSR

Abstract This study evaluated the effectiveness of triple antibiotic paste (TAP-amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin and metronidazole) and TAP loaded apatitic nanocarriers (TAAN) against E. faecalis biofilm. A multifold study was performed including synthesis and characterization of calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA) with Ca/P ratio of 1.61 using XRD, FT-IR and TEM; assessment of drug loading and release of antibiotics from TAAN; determination of minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) using crystal-violet staining method and dentinal tubule disinfection against E. faecalis biofilm at 500 μm and 1000 μm depths on days 1 and 7 using CLSM. Sixty three human mandibular premolars were instrumented, split longitudinally to obtain 126 root samples. E. faecalis was cultured on the canal walls and allowed to mature for 3 weeks to form biofilm. Six samples were randomly viewed under SEM for biofilm confirmation. The remaining samples were divided into 3 groups; propylene glycol (control), TAP and TAAN. MBIC of TAP and TAAN was 16 μg/mL (1:1000) and 50 μg/mL (1:320) respectively. Statistical analysis of inter and intra group comparison done using Kruskal Wallis and Mann Whitney U test (p