The aim of this study was to assess the antimicrobial activity of Simarouba glauca plant extract as intracanal medicament against Enterococcus faecalis and to compare its effect with that of metapex (calcium hydroxide with iodoform paste).

In the study, 30 human premolar teeth infected with E. faecalis were used. Contaminated teeth were randomly separated into three groups (n = 10) and treated as follows: Group I, calcium hydroxide-based medication; group II, S. glauca-based medication; and group III, contaminated teeth without medication. After 7 days of treatment, teeth from each group were assessed for the level of microbial growth after a period of treatment.

Metapex and S. glauca were associated with a reduction in E. faecalis after removal of the dressing; however, saline is associated with an increase in colony-forming units (CFU) per milliliter.

In this laboratory study using extracted teeth, S. glauca (Lakshmi Taru) was able to significantly reduce the CFU per milliliter values of E. faecalis in the root canal system similar to metapex.

Varada SL, Veetil JE, Nair GC. Antimicrobial Efficacy of Simarouba glauca (Lakshmi Taru) Plant Extract against Enterococcus faecalis Biofilm: An in vitro Study. Cons Dent Endod J 2017;2(2):43-47.

Kumar A, Sarthaj S. Glide Path in Endodontics. Cons Dent Endod J 2017;2(2):48-51.

Raj A, Nair KR, Geetha P, Anilkumar A, Alexander RN, Kumar MM. Management of a Complicated Vertical Crown Fracture. Cons Dent Endod J 2017;2(2):52-55.

Alexander RN, Nair KR, Geetha P, John N, Raj A, Kumar MM. Management of a Fractured Anterior Tooth by Reattachment using Fiber-reinforced Post. Cons Dent Endod J 2017;2(2):56-59.

Kumar MM, Nair KR, Geetha P, Nazar F, Alexander RN, Raj A. Management of Endodontic Failure. Cons Dent Endod J 2017;2(2):60-64.