Antimicrobial activity of a calcium hydroxide and Ricinus communis oil paste against microorganisms commonly found in endodontic infections

Purpose: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of two pastes used as root canal dressing: a calcium hydroxide and Ricinus communis oil paste (Paste A) and a calcium hydroxide and propylene glycol paste (Paste B). Methods: The Agar-well diffusion test was used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of pastes A and B against the following microorganisms, commonly found in the oral cavity, specifically in endodontic infections: Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Candida albicans. The diameter (mm) of the inhibition halos was measured using a digital pachimeter, and the data were statistically analyzed using 1-way ANOVA and Tukey test (? = 0.05). Results: Paste A displayed larger inhibition halos than Paste B and the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that Paste A had greater antimicrobial activity than Paste B.