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Characterisation of the efficacy of endodontic medications using a three‐dimensional fluorescent tooth model: An ex vivo study
Author(s) -
Chen Emily W.,
Carey Alison J.,
Ulett Glen C.,
George Roy
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
australian endodontic journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.703
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1747-4477
pISSN - 1329-1947
DOI - 10.1111/aej.12089
Subject(s) - biofilm , enterococcus faecalis , streptococcus mutans , propidium iodide , root canal , ex vivo , microbiology and biotechnology , fluorescence , bacteria , fluorescence microscope , in vivo , dentistry , chemistry , biology , medicine , biochemistry , staphylococcus aureus , apoptosis , genetics , physics , quantum mechanics , programmed cell death
The purpose of this study was to establish a three‐dimensional fluorescent tooth model to investigate bacterial viability against intra‐canal medicaments across the thickness and surface of root dentine. Dental microbial biofilms ( E nterococcus faecalis and S treptococcus mutans ) were established on the external root surface and bacterial kill was monitored over time against intra‐canal medicament ( Ca(OH) 2 ) using fluorescent microscopy in conjunction with B ac L ight SYTO 9 and propidium iodide stains. An O lympus digital camera fitted to SZX 16 fluorescent microscope captured images of bacterial cells in biofilms on the external root surface. Viability of biofilm was measured by calculating the total pixel area of green (viable bacteria) and red (non‐viable bacteria) for each image using I mage J ® software. All data generated were assessed for normality and then analysed using a M ann– W hitney t ‐test. The viability of S . mutans biofilm following Ca(OH) 2 treatment showed a significant decline compared with the untreated group ( P = 0.0418). No significant difference was seen for E . faecalis biofilm between the C a( OH ) 2 and untreated groups indicating C a( OH ) 2 medicament is ineffective against E . faecalis biofilm. This novel three‐dimensional fluorescent biofilm model provides a new clinically relevant tool for testing of medicaments against dental biofilms.