1Reader, Department of Periodontology, Yenepoya Dental College, Yenepoya (Deemed to be) University. Email: sneharbhat@yenepoya.edu.in
2*Additional Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Yenepoya Dental College, Yenepoya (Deemed to be) University. Email: drkumars8@gmail.com
3Additional Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Yenepoya Dental College, Yenepoya (Deemed to be) University. Email: aravind1383@yahoo.com
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal effectiveness of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and various intracanal medicaments against Candida albicans present within the root canal system.
Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty freshly extracted single-rooted human teeth were selected and instrumented. The root canals were contaminated with Candida albicans suspension and incubated for 48 hours. The specimens were then divided into six experimental groups based on the intracanal medicament used:
1. Calcium hydroxide mixed with saline
2. Calcium hydroxide mixed with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate
3. Zinc oxide mixed with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate
4. Rezafungin solution prepared in sterile distilled water
5. Irrigation with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite without intracanal medicament
6. Control group with no intracanal medicament
The canals were sealed and incubated at 37 ± 1°C for 14 days. Microbiological samples were obtained using sterile paper points and cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar containing chloramphenicol. The plates were incubated at 37 ± 1°C for 48 hours, and fungal growth was evaluated.
Results: The highest antifungal activity was observed in Group 5, where 2.5% sodium hypochlorite was used as the irrigant, showing elimination of Candida albicans in 90% of samples. Rezafungin demonstrated the second highest effectiveness (80% reduction). Calcium hydroxide mixed with saline showed the lowest antifungal activity (50% effectiveness).
Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, sodium hypochlorite showed the highest antifungal efficacy against Candida albicans. Rezafungin also demonstrated promising antifungal activity, suggesting that appropriate intracanal medicaments may enhance microbial elimination from the root canal system.
Keywords: Rezafungin, Candida albicans, Calcium hydroxide, Chlorhexidine gluconate, Sodium hypochlorite, Intracanal medicaments
How to cite this article: Bhat SR, Kumar P, Kudva AR. Evaluation of Antifungal Effects of Root Canal Irrigants and Intracanal Medicaments: An In Vitro Study. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(8s): 794-798; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.8s.89.
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None