Browsing by Author "Ibrahim, A. I. O."

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    Use of antibacterial nanoparticles in Endodontics
    (South African Dental Association (SADA), 2017) Ibrahim, A. I. O.; Moodley, Desi; Petrik, Leslie; Patel, Naren
    Several root canal irrigants and medicaments are available to combat endodontic pathogens. However, evidence of complete elimination of these pathogens by the use of these solutions is not recorded in the literature. The possible development of resistant bacterial species is one of the problems related to the efficacy of the currently available irrigants and medicaments. In addition, the complex anatomy of the root canal system allows endodontic pathogens to be hidden in areas inaccessible to the action of the irrigating preparations. This is further enhanced by the protective layer that is formed by the remnants of pulp tissue, dentin powder and dead cells which inhibit the antibacterial activity of the root canal irrigants and medicaments. Antimicrobial nanoparticles show promising effect against resistant pathogens in pharmaceutical science as a result of their unique physio-chemical properties. Unlike traditionally used antimicrobial agents, these nanoparticles destroy bacterial cells through multiple mechanisms. The concept of using nanoparticles in endodontics as a new treatment modality was developed recently and their antibacterial efficacy against endodontic pathogens was evaluated by several researchers in many in vitro studies. This article reviews some of the currently available literature on laboratory studies that evaluated the efficacy of nanoparticles against endodontic pathogens.