الفهرس 
Review of literature
Preparation of the teethOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the
antimicrobial activity of natural extracts of Azadirachta Indica
(Neem), Curcuma Longa (Turmeric), Myristica fragrans
(Nutmeg), Camellia sinensis (Green tea) and Melaleuca
alternifolia (Tea tree oil) against a mature Enterococcus faecalis
Biofilm model in vitro
One hundred and forty single rooted mandibular premolars were
used in the study. The tooth length was standardized to 16 mm
from the root apex to the coronal border. Mechanical
preparation of specimens were performed using Protaper
Universal rotary nickel titanium system (Dentsply Maillefer,
Ballaigues, Switzerland) till finishing file F4. All canals
received a final irrigation sequence of 5ml of 17% EDTA,
followed by 5ml of 2.5% NaOCl and 5ml of sterile water.
Teeth were divided into 6 expermintal groups (n=20) and two
control groups (n=10). Each one of the positive control and the
6 experimental groups were incubated for 21 days with
previously prepared E. faecalis culture to form mature E.
faecalis biofilm. One of the samples was examined with scanning electron microscope to ensure development of E.
faecalis biofilm.
At the end of incubation period, herbal extracts and calcium
hydroxide were applied to experimental groups as follow:
group I (G1): Azadirachta Indica (Neem) extract.
group II (G2): Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) extract.
group III (G3): Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg) extract.
group IV (G4): Camellia sinensis (Green tea) extract.
group V (G5): Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea tree oil).
group VI (G6): Calcium hydroxide paste Metapaste.
After one week, all of the specimens were irrigated with sterile
saline solution to remove the root canal contents. Bacterial
samples were collected using a standard method of collection
into sterile tubes containing saline for CFU count and the effect
of tested medicaments on biofilm dissolution was assessed with
scanning electron microscope SEM.
Results showed that all the experimental groups demonstrated
significantly less CFU counts as compared to the positive
control group (p<0.001). As regard to the antimicrobial
effectiveness of tested medicaments it was found that most effective were Calcium Hydroxide with significant difference
with all other groups (p<0.001). The most effective tested herbal
was Neem followed by turmeric and tea tree oil with no
statistical difference between them (p<0.001). The least effect
was observed in green tea followed by nutmeg with no
significant difference between them and with tea tree oil on the
other hand.
Within the limitation of this study it be concluded that:
1. Infected human teeth in ex vivo biofilm study model is
beneficial in studying root canal infection and in
studying efficacy of different intracanal medicaments.
2. None of the tested medicaments used were able to
completely eradicate E. Faecalis from the root canal
system.
3. Calcium Hydroxide remains to be the benchmark
Intracanal medicament.