# Anti-microbial effect of probiotic versus silver nanoparticle irrigant

## TL;DR

This study compares the effectiveness of probiotic and silver nanoparticle solutions in killing bacteria in root canals, finding that probiotics work better.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is demonstrating that probiotic irrigants have superior antimicrobial efficacy over silver nanoparticles against Enterococcus faecalis in root canals.

## Key findings

- Probiotic irrigant reduced E. faecalis count to a mean of 1.12.
- Silver nanoparticle irrigant resulted in a higher mean E. faecalis count of 2.39.
- Probiotic solution showed better antimicrobial efficacy than silver nanoparticles.

## Abstract

Disinfection of root canal system is a big challenge in the path of successful long-term treatment outcomes. 32 nonpathogenic
extracted human teeth with single roots were collected for the study and were inoculated with Enterococus faecalis (E.
faecalis) and later treated with silver nitrate solution and probiotic solution. The mean values of the E.
faecalis count of probiotic irrigant (mean = 1.12) is lesser than that of silver nanoparticle irrigant (mean = 2.39). The
probiotic irrigant had better antimicrobial efficacy than silver nanoparticle irrigant against E. faecalis.