The Effectiveness of Aqueous Propolis Extract in Reducing the Enterococcus faecalis Count in Primary Teeth: An In Vitro Study

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of 11% aqueous propolis extract in eliminating Enterococcus faecalis in necrotic pulp canals of primary anterior teeth compared to 2.5% sodium hypochlorite.Materials and Methods: E. faecalis were isolated from necrotic primary anterior teeth with periapical lesions, cultured, and incubated using paper points. The research sample comprised 30 extracted single‐rooted necrotic primary anterior teeth, divided equally into two groups according to the irrigants used. Access cavities were prepared, and working lengths were determined. Afterward, canals were shaped using K‐files, contaminated with E. faecalis, and placed in an incubator for a week. Initial microbial swabs were taken, and then each canal was irrigated with either 3 mL of a hand‐made 11% aqueous propolis extract or 3 mL of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite for 5 min. Postirrigation microbial swabs were taken, cultured on blood agar plates, and incubated at 37°C for 48 h, followed by colony counts. Statistical tests included the paired sample T‐test, Wilcoxon signed ranks, and Mann–Whitney U tests. The significance level was set at α = 0.05.Results: In total, 11% aqueous propolis extract contributed to a 61.8% reduction in E. faecalis (p < 0.001), while 2.5% sodium hypochlorite contributed to an 84.1% reduction (p < 0.001). The average change in logarithmic values in the sodium hypochlorite group was more significant than in the propolis group (p = 0.002).Conclusion: In total, 11% aqueous propolis extract is antimicrobial against E. faecalis. However, its efficacy was less than 2.5% sodium hypochlorite.