Exploring the role of Morinda citrifolia and Triphala juice in root canal irrigation: An ex vivo study.

BACKGROUND: The present ex vivo study explores the role of Indian medicaments in endodontic irrigation in an attempt to search for a safe alternative to sodium hypochlorite (NaOCL).

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of commercial preparations of Morinda citrifolia juice (MCJ) and Triphala juice against Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans .

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 84 permanent extracted human teeth. After decoronation and biomechanical preparation, inoculated (with E. faecalis and C. albicans ) root sections were divided randomly into four experimental (MCJ, Triphala juice, 1% NaOCl, and 2% chlorhexidine [CHX]) and two control groups (preservative control and distilled water). Colony-forming units (CFUs) obtained for each group were counted at baseline (S0 ) and after irrigation at 1 and 3 days (S1 and S2 , respectively). Mean of Log CFU at S0 , S1 , and S2 was compared for each irrigant using Friedman's two-way ANOVA.

RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in microbial counts of both microbes in all groups at S1 , but only CHX could demonstrate further decrease in the microbial counts of both microorganisms at S2 .

CONCLUSION: The overall antimicrobial effects of different irrigants were maximum for CHX, whereas MCJ and Triphala juice also showed significant reductions. The herbal irrigants hold the promise of becoming efficient irrigants and warrant further research.