 |
Publisher: Peytchinski Publishing Ltd.
ISSN: 1312-773X (Online)
Issue: 2026, vol. 32, issue1
Subject Area: Dental Medicine
-
DOI: 10.5272/jimab.2026321.6691
Published online: 12 January 2026
Original article
J of IMAB. 2026 Jan-Mar;32(1):6691-6697
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF ROOT CANAL FILLING MATERIALS FOR ENDODONTIC TREATMENT IN PRIMARY DENTITION
Maria Shindova1
, Plamen Katsarov2, 3, Eli Hristozova4, Kostadin Kostadinov5, 6, Michael Onov1, Ani Belcheva1,
1) Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University - Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
2) Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
3) Research Institute at Medical University of Plovdiv (RIMU), Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
4) Department of Medical microbiology and immunology, "Prof. Dr Elissay Yanev", Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
5) Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, Environmental Health Division, Research Institute at Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
6) Environmental Health Division, Research Institute at Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
ABSTRACT:
Aim. To evaluate in vitro the antimicrobial activity of materials used as root canal filling pastes for endodontic treatment in primary dentition.
Material and methods. The antimicrobial effectiveness of six root canal filling materials with different chemical compositions was tested against eight microorganisms commonly found in infected root canals. The agar diffusion test was used. Eight wells per plate were created at equidistant points and filled with the test and control materials, and the plates were incubated at 37°C in the incubator. Following 24, 48, and 72 hours, a digital caliper was used to measure the diameter of the growth inhibition zones for each material in millimeters.
Results. The difference between the mean diameter of growth inhibition zones of root canal filling materials tested (11.5 mm) and that of the control template (Vaseline) is statistically significant (p < 0.001). The antimicrobial effect is found to be large (Cohen's d = -2.46). Formalin-resorcin-zinc oxide paste exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity among the investigated materials. The mean diameter of the growth inhibition zone concerning all microorganisms was 30.27 mm. The combination of Calcium hydroxide + Iodofom paste had the lowest antimicrobial activity. The mean diameter of the growth inhibition zone was 6.73 mm.
Conclusions. The antimicrobial activity of root canal filling materials can be summarized as follows: Formalin-Resorcin-Zinc Oxide>Zinc oxide eugenol>Zinc oxide eugenol+Chlorhexidine dihydrochloride>Calcium hydroxide+Chlorhexidine dihydrochloride>Calcium hydroxide>Calcium hydroxide+Iodoform>Vaseline.
Keywords: antimicrobial activity, root canal filling pastes, primary dentition,
- Download FULL TEXT /PDF 676 KB/
Please cite this article as: Shindova M, Katsarov P, Hristozova E, Kostadinov K, Onov M, Belcheva A. Antimicrobial Activity of Root Canal Filling Materials for Endodontic Treatment in Primary Dentition. J of IMAB. 2026 Jan-Mar;32(1):6691-6697. [Crossref - 10.5272/jimab.2026321.6691]
Correspondence to: Maria Shindova, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University – Plovdiv; 3, Hristo Botev Blvd., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; E-mail: mariya.shindova@gmail.com
REFERENCES:
1. Vidi B, Gil-Valcarcel AM, Obispo-Diaz C, Sanchez-Jorge I, Mena-Álvarez J, Aragoneses-Lamas JM, et al. Description of the root anatomy of the primary molars using high resolution computed microtomography (Micro-CT). An analysis of three-dimensional root canal system. Front Dent Med. 2025 Jan 6;5:1522414. [PubMed]
2. Wen Q, Wang Y, Ren H, Chen X, Zheng J, Ge L, Zhao Y. Root anatomy and canal configuration of primary molars: a systemic review and meta-analysis. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2025 Jun;26(3):409-421. [PubMed]
3. Swaminathan K, Padmanabhan V, Rajkumar M, Subbalekshmi T, Palanimuthu S, Haridoss S. Geographical diversity in root canal anatomy of primary molars and its clinical implications: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. 2025 Jan 1;43(1):10-27. [PubMed]
4. Reddy S, Ramakrishna Y. Evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of various root canal filling materials used in primary teeth: a microbiological study. J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2007 Spring;31(3):193-8. [PubMed]
5. Barja-Fidalgo F, Moutinho-Ribeiro M, Oliveira MA, de Oliveira BH. A systematic review of root canal filling materials for deciduous teeth: is there an alternative for zinc oxide-eugenol? ISRN Dent. 2011;2011:367318. [PubMed]
6. Queiroz AM, Nelson-Filho P, Silva LA, Assed S, Silva RA, Ito IY. Antibacterial activity of root canal filling materials for primary teeth: zinc oxide and eugenol cement, Calen paste thickened with zinc oxide, Sealapex and EndoREZ. Braz Dent J. 2009;20(4):290-6. [PubMed]
7. Antoniazzi BF, Pires CW, Bresolin CR, Weiss RN, Praetzel JR. Antimicrobial activity of different filling pastes for deciduous tooth treatment. Braz Oral Res. 2015;29:1-6. [PubMed]
8. Nochahrly N, Hachem C, Geitani R, Chedid JA. Comparison of antibacterial activity of five root canal filling materials in primary dentition: an in vitro study. J Stoma. 2025;78(3):194-202. [Crossref]
9. Piva F, Faraco IM, Estrela C. Antimicrobial activity of different root canal filling pastes used in deciduous teeth. Mat Res. 2008 Jun;11(2):171-173. [Crossref]
10. Kriplani R, Thosar N, Baliga MS, Kulkarni P, Shah N, Yeluri R. Comparative evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of various root canal filling materials along with aloevera used in primary teeth: a microbiological study. J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2013 Spring;37(3):257-62. [PubMed]
11. Basir L, Khanehmasjedi M, Khosravi A, Ansarifar S. Investigating the antimicrobial activity of different root canal filling pastes in deciduous teeth. Clin Cosmet Investig Dent. 2019 Oct 10;11:321-326. [PubMed]
12. Hachem CE, Chedid JCA, Nehme W, Kaloustian MK, Ghosn N, Sahnouni H, et al. Physicochemical and Antibacterial Properties of Conventional and Two Premixed Root Canal Filling Materials in Primary Teeth. J Funct Biomater. 2022 Oct 6;13(4):177. [PubMed]
13. Navit S, Jaiswal N, Khan SA, Malhotra S, Sharma A, Mukesh, et al. Antimicrobial Efficacy of Contemporary Obturating Materials used in Primary Teeth- An In-vitro Study. J Clin Diagn Res. 2016 Sep;10(9):ZC09-ZC12. [PubMed]
14. Schwandt NW, Gound TG. Resorcinol-formaldehyde resin “Russian Red” endodontic therapy. J Endod. 2003 Jul;29(7):435-7. [PubMed]
15. Pedrotti D, Bottezini PA, Casagrande L, Braga MM, Lenzi TL. Root canal filling materials for endodontic treatment of necrotic primary teeth: a network meta-analysis. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2023 Apr;24(2):151-166. [PubMed]
16. Qasim Al-Hawezi SS, Perdawd BA, Ali LA, Hamasaeed NH, Al Moaleem MM. Comparative Analysis of Antibacterial Efficacy and Flow Characteristics of Three Root Canal Sealers. Cureus. 2024 Sep 4;16(9):e68659. [PubMed]
17. Subramaniam P, Gilhotra K. Endoflas, zinc oxide eugenol and metapex as root canal filling materials in primary molars–a comparative clinical study. J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2011;35(4):365–369. [PubMed]
18. Barcelos R, Santos MP, Primo LG, Luiz RR, Maia LC. ZOE paste pulpectomies outcome in primary teeth: a systematic review. J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2011 Spring;35(3):241-8. [PubMed]
19. Khoramian Tusi S, Bagherian A, Bahram Abadi R, Zeynali B. [Comparison of antibacterial effect between diapaste with sealapex and ZOE against enterococcus faecalis: a laboratory study.] [in Arabic] J Mashhad Dent Sch. 2013;37(2):119–126. [Internet]
20. Silva Junior MF, Wambier LM, Gevert MV, Chibinski ACR. Effectiveness of iodoform-based filling materials in root canal treatment of deciduous teeth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Biomater Investig Dent. 2022 May 19;9(1):52-74. [PubMed]
21. Ercan E, Dalli M, Dьlgergil CT. In vitro, the assessment of the effectiveness of chlorhexidine gel and calcium hydroxide paste with chlorhexidine against Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2006;102:e27–31. [PubMed]
22. Song M, Wu D, Hu Y, Luo H, Li G. Characterization of an Enterococcus faecalis Bacteriophage vB_EfaM_LG1 and Its Synergistic Effect With Antibiotic. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2021 Jul 16;11:698807. [PubMed]
23. Sy K, Chevalier C, Maton M, Mokbel I, Mahieux S, Houcke I, et al. Therapeutic Potential of Chlorhexidine-Loaded Calcium Hydroxide-Based Intracanal Medications in Endo-Periodontal Lesions: An Ex Vivo and In Vitro Study. Antibiotics (Basel). 2023 Sep 7;12(9):1416. [PubMed]
24. Haenni S, Schmidlin PR, Mueller B, Sener B, Zehnder M. Chemical and antimicrobial properties of calcium hydroxide mixed with irrigating solutions. Int Endod J. 2003;36:100–5.[PubMed]
Received: 07 July 2025
Published online: 12 January 2026