ABSTRACT:
Introduction: The main purpose of endodontic therapy is to clean and shape the root canal by means of instruments and chemical irrigation substances, in order to eliminate or reduce the amount of microorganisms, when the pulp is necrosed. However, infection may persist in canals with high anatomic complexity, with a great number of bacteria, especially facultatively anaerobic bacteria.In chronic pulpar necrosis, apical cement erosion may occur as well as the presence of bacteria in periradicular tissues, which are resistant against the organic defense of the host and the chemical solutions used in the root therapy. Clove essential oil, used as an antiseptic in oral infections, inhibits Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Clove oil has biological activities, such as antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal and antioxidant properties. Materials and methods: The antimicrobial efficacy of commercially available root canal sealers namely zinc oxide eugenol and AH plus, were evaluated individually and also in combination with Clove oil against Enterococcus faecalis which was isolated from necrotic pulps and endodontic lesions using the disc diffusion technique. Results: Among the sealers tested AH plus showing the maximum effectiveness and the zone of inhibition was 18mm and for zinc oxide eugenol the zone of inhibition was 22mm in diameter. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the addition of clove oil to endodontic sealers increases the anti bacterial activity of the sealer. Clove oil is a natural, non toxic and affordable anti bacterial substance. Thus it can be widely used for dental practice involving endodontic sealers.