Assessment of the efficacy of two concentrations of NaOCl and Chlorhexidine as disinfectant of Gutta–Percha contaminated with Enterococcus Faecalis (In vitro Study)

Miwan Salahalddin A. Alrahman; Khadija M Ahmed

Volume : IV, Issue : X, October - 2015

Assessment of the efficacy of two concentrations of NaOCl and Chlorhexidine as disinfectant of Gutta–Percha contaminated with Enterococcus Faecalis (In vitro Study)

Miwan Salahalddin A. Alrahman, Khadija M Ahmed

Abstract :

Aim: The aim of the present study is to assess the efficacy of different chemical disinfectants 5.25% NaOCL, 0.5% NaOCl, and Chlorhexidine 2% as an antimicrobial agent to decontaminate the Gutta–Percha cones used during obturation in endodontic procedure. Materials and Methods: Sixty four Gutta – Percha cones which were freshly extracted from freshly sealed packs are collected and used as three groups. Each group is composed of 20 cones and 4 cones are used as positive and negative controls. Depending upon the type of antibacterial agents used for sterilization. Group I – Gutta–percha immersed in NaOCl (5.25 %).Group II – Gutta–percha immersed in NaOCl (0.5%).Group III – Gutta–percha immersed in Chlorhexidine (2%). A total of 64 gutta–percha cones (No. 30 Dentsply maillefer ) were selected for this study, from freshly opened sealed pack. For each group, 20 cones were used. A total of 4 cones were used as controls.The following controls were used. Positive control: A total of 2 gutta–percha cones were used as positive control exposed to the E.Faecalis bacteria. The cones were directly transferred to the culture media without disinfection. Negative control: A total of 2 gutta–percha cones were taken from freshly sealed pack. The cones were then transferred to culture media without disinfection. Results: NaOCl in both concentrations 5.25% and 0.5% were excellent in eradication of E.Faecalis while Chlorhexidine 2% was good in disinfection of the gutta–percha cones. Conclusions: Gutta –percha that were freshly extracted from a sealed pack is not contaminated while those who were contaminated with E.Faecalis were best disinfected by NaOCl but Chlorhexidine is a good disinfectant agent for gutta–percha but not as good as NaOCl.