Comparative evaluation of short and long term in vitro antibacterial activity of white and gray mineral trioxide aggregate and calcium enriched mixture cement

The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the short and long term antibacterial effects of white and gray mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and calcium enriched mixture (CEM) on Streptococcus Sanguinis and Enterococcus faecalis which are commonly associated with endodontic infections. The test materials, including white MTA (WMTA), gray (GMTA), and CEM were manipulated strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. A total of 72 culture plates were prepared and divided into three experimental groups (one group for each of freshly mixed and set WMTA cements; one group for each of freshly mixed and set GMTA cements; one group for each of freshly mixed and set CEM cements. Each group consisted of 24 plates in which 12 plates were cultured by S. sanguinis and the other 12 plates were cultured by E. faecalis. Antibacterial activities of the materials against the S. sanguinis and E. faecalis were evaluated using agar diffusion test (ADT). The materials were tested in form of set (24-h, 1 week and 1 month) and freshly mixed. In the E. faecalis groups, plates containing freshly mixed and set WMTA, GMTA, and CEM cements did not show any antibacterial properties. The antimicrobial activity of freshly mixed GMTA was lower than WMTA and higher that of CEM. The largest mean diameters of inhibition zone of bacterial growth were found in set WMTA cement group at any time period. In conclusion, the origin of MTA as well as the preparation techniques may affect its antimicrobial activities.