In-vitro evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of triple antibiotic paste, metapex and newly introduced iodine based asphaline temp as intracanal medicament against enterococcus faecalis

Background: Microorganisms and their products are considered as the etiological agents of pulp necrosis and peri-radicular lesions. They may survive during endodontic procedures due to anatomical structural complexities and limitations of access by instrumentation and irrigants. The present study was conducted to assess antimicrobial efficacy of newly introduced iodine based Asphaline Temp, Triple antibiotic paste and Calcium hydroxide based Metapex against Enterococcus faecalis. Materials & Methods: 90 extracted, single-rooted human permanent teeth were instrumented and autoclaved. Samples were inoculated with the pure culture of E. faecalis and incubated. After incubation, colony-forming units (CFUs) were recorded before medication. Each group was further divided into 3 subgroups based on time duration of testing for days – 1 day, 5 days, and 7 days, containing 10 samples each. Group I – Asphaline Temp; Group II – Triple antibiotic paste (TAP); Group III – Metapex. The various time interval bacterial CFUs within the group were compared. Results: Percentage reduction in bacteria count on 1 day, 5 day and 7 day in Group I (Asphaline Temp)  was 77.2, 96.5 and 98.3; in Group II (TAP) was 70.5, 90.4 and 93.2 and in Group III (Metapex ) was 25.8, 46.2 and 58.2