Antimicrobial effectiveness of electro‐chemically activated water as an endodontic irrigation solution

Abstract

Aim The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effectiveness of electro‐chemically activated water (ECA) as an endodontic irrigation solution. Methodology The root canals of 60 caries‐free, single‐rooted, adult, maxillary, anterior human teeth were instrumented and irrigated in a similar method to that used for in vivo root canal treatment. The external root surface of each tooth was sealed, maintaining the access cavities patent and the root canals were inoculated with a suspension containing four bacteria. The teeth were randomly divided into four groups (n = 15). Each group was irrigated ultrasonically with one of the following solutions: distilled water (control), NaOCl (3.5%), and ECA, the latter at pHs 7.0 and 9.0. Antimicrobial effectiveness was established directly after irrigation and again 7 days later, by counting colony‐forming units on blood agar plates and by spectrophotometric analysis. Results Large numbers of bacteria were present in the canals of teeth irrigated with distilled water. No bacteria were observed following irrigation with NaOCl. Neither of the ECA solutions were found to be effective against all the bacteria. Although some reduction in the number of bacteria was evident in the ECA groups, this was not statistically significant (P > 0.05) when compared to sodium hypochlorite. Conclusion Within the confines of this study ECA did not demonstrate antimicrobial effectiveness.

The antimicrobial effects of root canal irrigation and medication

“…Marais and Williams 66 did not find ECA solution to be superior to NaOCl in eliminating bacteria in root canals in vivo. Solovyeva and Dummer 67 studied the cleaning effectiveness of root canal irrigation with ECA solution and found that it was similar to NaOCl in debris removal but was more effective that NaOCl in smear layer removal.…”

Some factors influencing the stability of Sterilox®, a super-oxidised water

“…1 In dentistry they have been proposed for the removal of bacteria from dental unit water supplies 1 and disinfection of common impression materials, 2 and their antimicrobial and cleaning effectiveness in root canals have been studied. 3,4 Sterilox® is a super-oxidised water currently used to decontaminate endoscopes.…”

Comparative efficacy of three antiseptics as surgical skin preparations in dogs

“…This solution is known as catholyte, basic electrolyzed water, alkaline electrolyzed water, or electrolyzed reducing water 62 and is known to have a strong cleaning or detergent effect. 63 Neutral electrolyzed water is generated in much the same way as acidic electrolyzed water except that the solution gets partially mixed with OH -which is then transferred through the membrane into the cathode chamber. 64 This solution typically has a pH of between 6.5-8.5…”

“…62 The exact mechanism of antimicrobial action of electrochemical activation is yet to be fully described. 63 It is not clear whether pH, chlorine compounds, ORP, or a combination of these factors are responsible for the antimicrobial activity of EAW. 62 The presence of chlorine compounds and a high ORP appear to be the main contributors to the antimicrobial activity of EAW.…”

“…24,61,63 Al-Haq et al reported that inactivation of E. coli was directly related to the ORP and not as a result of residual chlorine compounds. 61 The higher the ORP of a solution, the greater its oxidizing strength.…”