Back ground: The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the efficacy of calcium hydroxide and turmeric powder [Curcuma Longa] as an intracanal medicament against Enterococcus faecalis using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Material and method: A total of 20 patients were selected for the study. The study is limited to the mandibular molar teeth with adequate crown structure. Patient selection is based on the prior diagnosis of the mandibular molar teeth with pulpal necrosis and periapical lesion that are suggested as ideal candidates for the root canal treatment. On the basis of the intracanal medicament used in the root canal space i.e., calcium hydroxide or Curcuma longa, the patients were then randomlycategorized into two groups (n=10). During the course of the study three different samples were collected (S1, S2, S3) per tooth at three different procedural intervals. The first sample is collected after the access opening of the tooth and is namedas S1, the second sample is collected after the chemo-mechanical preparation and irrigation with sodium hypochlorite and is named as S2, the third and the final sample is collected after 7 days of intracanal medicament placement and is named as S3. The three collected samples (S1, S2, S3) were then transferred to the microbiology lab for evaluating Enterococcus faecalis using real time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction); The statistical analysis was done using Student’s T-Test and Paired Sample T-Test. Results- Results of the present study showed that curcuma longa (Turmeric powder) is more effective in reducing the concentration of E.faecalis than calcium hydroxide. The group medicated with the Turmeric powder showed more significant differences between the samples S1 and S3 when compared to the group medicated with calcium hydroxide. Conclusion- In conclusion, it can be stated that Turmeric powder is more effective against Enterococcus faecalis as compared to Calcium hydroxide.
