LETTER TO EDITOR

Year : 2015  |  Volume : 5  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 65

Antibacterial action of herbal agents

Vasudev N Ballal¹, Jothi Varghese^2
1 Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India
² Department of 1Periodontology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India

Correspondence Address:
Vasudev N Ballal
Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal - 576 104, Karnataka
India

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None

Check

DOI: 10.4103/1658-5984.149095

• How were the teeth samples disinfected before using them for the canal preparation?
• The authors have grounded the root canal surface to make it flat. Hence, smear layer has been created during this procedure. However, no chelating agent has been used to remove this smear layer. Also, it has been demonstrated that E. faecalis has the ability to invade the dentinal tubules to varying depth. ^[1] Hence, by removing the smear layer, authors could have tested the efficacy of the test agents in eliminating E. faecalis which would have penetrated into the dentinal tubules
• The methodology which the authors have followed for the biofilm formation does not simulate the clinical scenario. Instead of sectioning the teeth vertically and forming the biofilm on the exposed root canal surface, the biofilm could have been developed inside the intact root canal and then the test agents could have been irrigated and tested for their effectiveness ^[2]
• Two percent chlorhexidine gluconate solution could have been used as one of the control group since it is one of the commonly used endodontic irrigant and have demonstrated to be very effective against E. faecalis^[3],[4]
• How was the biofilm formation on the root canal dentin surface confirmed? A scanning electron microscope (SEM) or confocal laser scanning microscopic image could have been done to confirm the biofilm formation ^[5]
• Collection of the sample by paper points is not a reliable method. Instead, root canal dentin shavings or pulverization could have been used for sample collection. ^[6]

References

1.	Figdor D, Davies JK, Sundqvist G. Starvation survival, growth, and recovery of Enterococcus faecalis in human serum. Oral Microbiol Immunol 2003;18:234-9.
2.	Xie Q, Johnson BR, Wenckus CS, Fayad MI, Wu CD. Efficacy of berberine, an antimicrobial plant alkaloid, as an endodontic irrigant against a mixed-culture biofilm in an in vitro tooth model. J Endod 2012;38:1114-7.
3.	Kandaswamy D, Venkateshbabu N, Gogulnath D, Kindo AJ. Dentinal tubule disinfection with 2% chlorhexidine gel, propolis, morindacitrifolia juice, 2% povidone iodine, and calcium hydroxide. Int Endod J 2010;43:419-23.
4.	Lee Y, Han SH, Hong SH, Lee JK, Ji H, Kum KY. Antimicrobial efficacy of a polymeric chlorhexidine release device using in vitro model of Enterococcus faecalis dentinal tubule infection. J Endod 2008;34:855-8.
5.	Arias-Moliz MT, Ferrer Luque CM, Espigares-Garcia M, Baca P. Enterococcus faecalis biofilms eradication by root canal irrigants. J Endod 2009;35:711-4.
6.	Tran KT, Torabinejad M, Shabahang S, Retamozo B, Aprecio RM, Chen JW. Comparison of efficacy of pulverization and sterile paper point techniques for sampling root canals. J Endod 2013;39:1057-9.