Abstract

SANTOS, Tiago Lange dos et al. Antimicrobial action of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and 2% chlorhexidine gel in roots contaminated by Enterococcus faecalis. RFO UPF [online]. 2012, vol.17, n.2, pp. 150-155. ISSN 1413-4012.

Objective: to evaluate, in vitro, the antimicrobial effectiveness of 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) gel and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), associated to mechanical preparation of root canals on roots infected by Enterococcus faecalis. Methods: forty five inferior single-rooted premolars were inoculated with E. faecalis during 14 days. The roots were separated in three groups (n = 15): PG - positive control group, without treatment; G1 and G2, prepared by hybrid technique (manual + ProTaper) and irrigated with 2% CHX and 2.5% NaOcl, respectively. Five premolars were not inoculated, once they make the negative control group (NG). Microbiological tests (CFU counting) were used to evalua te the treatments. Means were compared by Anova and complemented by Tukey test at 5% significance Results: there was no statistical difference among 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and 2% (p > 0,05) chlorhexidine gel, which significantly reduced E. Faecalis in 99.57% and 99.30%, respectively, compared to the positive control group. Conclusions: the substances tested, 2% CHX gel and 2.5% NaOCl are auxiliary chemical substances of the chemo-mechanical preparation that promote a significant reduction of E. faecalis.

Keywords : Chlorhexidine.; Enterococcus faecalis.; Root canal irrigants.; Sodium hypochlorite..