Evaluation of Morinda citrifolia as an Endodontic Irrigant

• Published in: Journal of endodontics Vol. 34; no. 1; pp. 66 - 70
• Main Authors: Murray, Peter E., BSc(Hons), PhD, Farber, Romi M., DDS, Namerow, Kenneth N., DDS, Kuttler, Sergio, DDS, Garcia-Godoy, Franklin, DDS, MS
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 2008
• Subjects: Bicuspid - drug effects; Bicuspid - microbiology; Bicuspid - ultrastructure; Chi-Square Distribution; Chlorhexidine - administration & dosage; Chlorhexidine - analogs & derivatives; Chlorhexidine - chemistry; Chlorhexidine gluconate; Dental Pulp Cavity - drug effects; Dental Pulp Cavity - ultrastructure; Dentistry; Endocrinology & Metabolism; Enterococcus faecalis - drug effects; Humans; Morinda - chemistry; Phytotherapy - methods; Plant Extracts - administration & dosage; Plant Extracts - chemistry; root canal; Root Canal Irrigants - administration & dosage; Root Canal Irrigants - chemistry; Smear Layer; sodium hypochlorite; Sodium Hypochlorite - administration & dosage; Sodium Hypochlorite - chemistry; smear layer; Chlorhexidine gluconate; root canal; sodium hypochlorite
• ISSN: 0099-2399; 1878-3554
• DOI: 10.1016/j.joen.2007.09.016

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare the in vitro effectiveness of M orinda citrifolia juice (MCJ) with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) to remove the smear layer from the canal walls of endodontically instrumented teeth. Sixty extracted, single-rooted, mature, permanent, human premolar teeth with a single canal were inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis at 37°C in a CO2 atmosphere for 30 days. The teeth were randomly allocated to 6 treatment groups; the pulp chamber was accessed, cleaned, and shaped by using ProTaper and ProFile rotary instrumentation to a size 35. During instrumentation the irrigation was provided by MCJ, NaOCl, CHX, MCJ/CHX, followed by a final flush of 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). MCJ irrigation was also followed by a final flush of saline, and saline irrigation was also used as a negative control. The teeth were then processed for scanning electron microscopy, and the removal of smear layer was examined. Data were analyzed by χ2 statistical tests ( P values) at a significance of 95%. The most effective removal of smear layer occurred with MCJ and NaOCl, both with a rinse of 17% EDTA. Both MCJ and NaOCl treatments were similarly effective with a rinse of 17% EDTA ( P < .2471) to completely remove up to 80% of the smear layer from some aspects of the root canal. MCJ was more effective than CHX for removing smear layer ( P < .0085) and saline as the negative control ( P < .0001). The efficacy of MJC was similar to NaOCl in conjunction with EDTA as an intracanal irrigant. MJC appears to be the first fruit juice to be identified as a possible alternative to the use of NaOCl as an intracanal irrigant.