EVALUATION OF CELL PACK PAPER POINTS BEFORE AND AFTER STERILIZATION: A MICROBIOLOGICAL STUDY

Authors: Abdulaziz Saad ABU-MELHA, M. ZAKIRULLA1, Ahmad Yahia ALMOJATHEL ALQISI, Anas Abdullah QASEM KHAWSHAL

Abstract:

Introduction. Bacteria are mainly responsible for the development of pulp/periapical diseases. Therefore, elimination of bacteria during root canal treatment and maintaining aseptic conditions by instrumentation, irrigation and intracanal medication has always been an important part of any successful endodontic treatment. The purpose of this study is to determine the bacterial contamination of paper points before and after sterilization and to evaluate the bacterial growth for various storage period after sterilization of paper points. Materials and methods. 50 paper points, collected randomly from the endodontic department, were divided into five groups of 10 samples each. 250 paper points were collected and randomly divided into 5 groups, depending on the period of sterilization, i.e. immediately, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after sterilization. Each group contains 50 samples, sterilized prior to the inoculation in the sterilized fluid, in Thioglycolate media. After the incubation period, the samples were aerobically cultured onto Mueller-Hinton agar (MHA). The data obtained was evaluated qualitatively, by the presence of turbidity and bacterial growth on the culture media. Results and discussion. prior to the sterilization of the paper points, all samples showed bacterial growth, yet not statistically significant. No bacterial growth of paper points was observed immediately, 3, 5, and 7 days after sterilization. Bacterial growth was seen only in one group, after 14 days of sterilization. Conclusions. To assure a higher safety of endodontic procedures, the absorbent paper points of any commercial type should be autoclaved before clinical use. All paper points were contaminated before sterilization, so that their sterilization is recommended. One week is the maximum time at which the paper points can stay sterilized before use.

Keywords:
  • bacterial culture
  • endodontic therapy
  • Mueller-Hinton agar.
  • paper points
  • sterilization