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Background: Persistent infection within the root canal and periapical area is a source of concern in endodontics . Inadequate disinfection of the infected root canal and associated periapical lesion can lead to persistence of the infection. Failed root canal treatments have been attributed to viable bacteria that exist within the root canal and periapical system.
Materials and methods : A total number of 32 single rooted extracted teeth were sterilized by autoclaving. Enterococcus faecalis was inoculated into the root canals for 24 hours. Teeth were then divided into 3 groups (n=8) and a control group. Root canals were prepared with Hand Protaper, and irrigated with 3% Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) in group I, 0.2% Chlorhexidine (CHX) in group II, and 0.5% Iodine potassium iodide (IKI) in group III. Canals of control group was irrigated with 0.9% Normal saline (NaCl). Dentinal shavings from apical third were collected from specimens; and cultured on brain heart infusion agar plates. Colony Forming Unit ( CFU) of treated teeth and control specimens were counted and results were statistically analyzed by Mann Whitney ‘U’ test.
Result: The result of the following study suggested that 0.5% IKI was the most effective at eliminating E. faecalis than the other irrigant solutions. However the result showed non-significant when compared with each other 0.5% IKI, 3% NaOCl and 0.2% CHX The result showed there was no statistically significant difference between the 0.5% IKI, 0.2% CHX& 3%NaOCl
Conclusion: IKI is very good antimicrobial irrigating solution against E .Faecalis amongst the experimental irrigants. The antimicrobial action of IKI is comparable with antimicrobial action of 0.2%CHX and 3%NaOCl which is proved best till date against E. faecalis.

chlorhexidine, colony forming unit, enterococcus faecalis, iodine potassium iodide, sodium hypochlorite