Essential Oils as Alternatives for Root-Canal Treatment and Infection Control against Enterococcus faecalis—A Preliminary Study

Since natural alternatives are needed in dentistry for the treatment of root canal, where standard irrigant is NaOCl with significant toxicity, aim study was to assess antibacterial properties non-chemical root-canal irrigants (aqueous extracts oregano, thyme, lemongrass, melaleuca and clove essential oils) against Enterococcus faecalis. For this, aqueous each oil (AqEO) were prepared. A solution sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) used as a positive which antimicrobial effects AqEO could be reported. The canals seven teeth inoculated 20 µL faecalis ATCC29212 inoculum incubated overnight at 37 °C. All instrumented irrigated corresponding AqEO, saline solution, then rinsed saline. Bacteriological samples canal post-instrumentation collected sterile paper points on culture media. second processing followed same methodology but involved only irrigation no instrumentation. Using instrumentation, thyme completely inhibited growth. Without oregano AqEOs reduced bacterial load seen direct inoculation, growth observed all after enrichment, except NaOCl. Nevertheless, turbidity enrichment media lower than control. In conclusion, showed promising effect, especially when instrumentation performed.