Quantitative Analysis of Antibacterial Efficacy of Herbal Irrigants Against Endodontic Microflora – A Clinical Study

The main objectives of the non-surgical endodontic treatment are the elimination of micro-organisms from the root canal space and the prevention of reinfection. Chemomechamical preparation is considered to be one of the most important steps in the management of infected root canal system which includes proper instrumentation and meticulous irrigation. Ideally, an endodontic irrigant should have antimicrobial efficacy, tissue dissolving capacity along with nontoxic and biocompatible nature. Through the years, various irrigating solutions have been used in contemporary dentistry, however none of them has all the properties needed. So, a combined use of separate irrigants is recommended to ensure the successful outcome, which makes the procedure quite lengthy. Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), is a reducing agent, straw colored solution used majorly as the main root canal irrigant and responsible for antimicrobial action. On the basis of published data, a wide range of percentage of sodium hypochlorite can be used from 0.5% - 5.2%. nevertheless, it has some serious complications, some of which are life-threatening. It causes chemical burn on extrusion to the periapical area during root canal treatment. In higher concentration it causes hemolysis, ulceration, inhibition of neutrophil migration, damage to fibroblast cells, and necrosis on extrusion to surrounding tissue. Herbal irrigants are comparatively newer irrigant in the field of endodontics, focus on the owning of their advantages and minimal side effects.  Neem and green tea are full of different flavonoids, catechins which antimicrobial and beneficial in various ways. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial efficacy of these two herbal irrigants with most commonly used irrigant, sodium hypochlorite.