Ethanolic Extract of Aloe Vera Versus Chlorohexidine as Cavity Disinfectant: A Split-mouth Randomized Clinical Trial

Dental caries remains to be a major oral health problem afflicting people, young and old, especially in developing and underdeveloped countries. Though dentistry has magically developed with newer materials and newer techniques, dental caries remains a disease of great prevalence.

The prevention and control of caries necessitates the elimination of cariogenic bacteria that produce acids responsible for the decrease of pH and starting the process of demineralization.

While the goal of restorative treatments for dental caries is to remove the infected dentin and fill the area with a suitable restorative material, failure to remove the infected teeth surface totally and achieve complete sterilization of the cavity can lead to microleakage, increased pulp sensitivity, pulpal infection and secondary caries that necessitate replacement of restoration.

Therefore, after removal of the carious dentin it is important to eliminate any remaining bacteria that may be present on the cavity walls, in the smear layer, at the enamel-dentin junction, or in the dentinal tubules. But unfortunately, no definitive and reliable criteria are available to ensure the complete removal of carious tooth structure. Many investigations have shown the presence of bacteria in the dentin even after removal of dye-stainable dentin.

Due to indiscriminate use of antimicrobials more and more pathogens are becoming resistant and posing a serious threat in rendering successful treatment of the diseases. With the rise in bacterial resistance to various synthetic antimicrobial agents, there is a considerable interest and a growing trend in the field.