Background: For successful root canal treatment, elimination of microorganisms during endodontic treatment is the key feature. This is achieved through mechanical cleaning and shaping in conjunction with irrigating agent. Irrigation of the root canal is essential for effective elimination of bacteria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) and Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl) against E. faecalis.

Methods: The access opening was done on extracted 50 human teeth and canal orifices was enlarged with the help of orifice opener. The root canal was inoculated with E. faecalis using a sterile micropipette and incubated at 37°C for 24 h. Biomechanical preparation was done using Universal hand K files 20 no. and irrigation was done with saline. The contaminated teeth were divided into two groups: in a Group A, 25 sample were irrigated with 3.8% SDF and in Group B, 25 sample were irrigated with 3% NaOCl. The canals were irrigated for 10 minutes with 2 ml of respective irrigation solutions. A final flush with saline to avoid long-term action of the respective irrigating solutions. The paper points were left in the wet canal and then transferred to the tubes containing the peptone water. The specimens were kept at 37°C for 48 h. In order to check the growth for E. faecalis in the tubes, samples were inoculated onto chocolate agar plates. Colonies were counted using colony counter.

Results: For E. faecalis, the greatest bacterial reduction was reported in group SDF, which showed significantly greater reduction in comparison to the other group NaOCl (p value < 0.05).