Summary
The incomplete disinfection of root canal system has been reported as the main cause of post-treatment disease, due to the persistence of bacteria. For over thirty years Enterococcus faecalis has been considered the most common bacterial species isolated from persistent root canal infections, resisting antibacterial agents, such as chlorhexidine and calcium hydroxide. Several studies have indicated that copper has optimal disinfecting capacities in a hospital environment. Aimed to know the ex vivo effect of copper sulfate (CuSO4) on E. faecalis. Thirty-six extracted human tooth root canals were inoculated with E. faecalis ATCC 29212. These root canals had undergone endondontic procedures with a rotatory system. The effect of CuSO4 was determined by plate count method of E. faecalis obtained from one sample of each tooth under three incubation times (4th, 7th and 10th day). The canals medicated with CuSO4 , the bacterial count decreased 6 log after 4 days and remained as such without statistically significant change until the tenth day. It is an indisputable fact of its antibacterial action. The bacterial persistence may be due to the ability of E. faecalis to remain viable in root canals up to 12 months without additional nutrients. These preliminary results could be used for further scientific work assessing the potential for the use of cooper in dentistry.
KEY WORDS: copper sulfate, Enterococcus faecalis, bacterial load, endodontics.
How to cite this article
SÁNCHEZ-SANHUEZA, G.; ALCÁNTARA-DUFEU, R.; CARRILLO, L.; MANSILLA, H.; NOVOA, C.& BELLO-TOLEDO, H. Ex vivo effect of copper sulfate on Enterococcus faecalis in root canal. Int. J. Odontostomat., 9(3):505-510, 2015.
