In Vitro Study of the Antibacterial Activity of Calcium Hydroxide on Candida Albicans

The aim of this in vitro study is to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of calcium hydroxide used in eliminating Candida albicans. In the present study we used clinical isolates of Candida albicans from primary infected root canals with opened pulp chamber and acute apical periodontitis. An agar-diffusion method was used to investigate the antimicrobial activity of Calcium hydroxide against Candida albicans. Calcium hydroxide was used mixed with different additives: Calcium hydroxide and destilated water (mixed ex tempore) Calcium hydroxide and 2 % Chlorhexidine gluconate (mixed ex tempore), Calcium hydroxide and Iodoform (Metapex paste). In each plate three cavities were filled with one of the calcium pastes and one cavity- control agent. The zones of inhibition around the used medicaments in the cavities were measured in millimeters after being incubated in the period at 37C for the period of 24 - 48 hours. The data was input and processed using the statistical package SPSS 15.0.1. The level of significance for rejecting the null hypothesis was fixed at p