Comparative Evaluation of Physical and Antimicrobial Properties of Doxycycline Incorporated Formulation of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate - An In-Vitro Study

Doxycycline is a hydroxyl derivative of tetracycline that has been used as an adjuvant in irrigants, intracanal medicaments. Complete eradication of the causative factors and a sterile environment are essential for assisting in a better prognosis of either apexification or revascularisation method of management. Improving antimicrobial properties can enhance the healing ability thereby faster completion of endodontic treatment with minimal recurrence. Aim to assess the physical and antimicrobial properties of a doxycycline incorporated formulation of mineral trioxide aggregate. The antimicrobial properties, compressive strength and final setting time were tested for 4 groups of materials. Group 1 - Mineral Trioxide aggregate - White MTA (Angelus, Londrina, PR, Brazil); Group 2 - Biodentine (Septodont, Saint Maur des Fossés, France); Group 3 - Newer MTA formulation with Doxycycline in powder; and Group 4 - Newer MTA formulation with Doxycycline in liquid. Material in group 4 had the largest zone of inhibition against E.faecalis while group 3 had the largest zone of inhibition against S.mutans and C.albicans. This difference was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). Group 2 had the shortest setting time, followed by group 3 and group 4. The highest mean compressive strength was seen in group 2 followed by group 3 and 4 and the least in group 1 for all the time periods. Under the limitations of the present study, addition of doxycycline, either in the liquid or powder component, can have additive effects on the antimicrobial properties of the modified MTA with minimal to no alteration in its physical properties.