Abstract

ABI-RACHED, Giselle Priscilla Cruz et al. Microbiological analysis of sterile saline solution used in endodontic treatment. RFO UPF [online]. 2013, vol.18, n.3, pp. 284-287. ISSN 1413-4012.

Objective: to analyze the contamination of sterile saline solution (SS) used as irrigant substance in endodontic treatment (ET). Materials and method: samples of 1 mL of SS were collected in Eppendorf-type tubes. Twenty microbiological samples were collected in 6 different situations, as follows: Group I (G I) - soon after the opening of the SS packing; Group II (G II) - after pouring the SS in the endodontic bowl; Group III (G III) - at the moment of the first filling of the irrigating syringe; Group IV (G IV) - from the SS still inside the packing to the end of the treatment; Group V (G V) - from the remaining SS in the endodontic bowl after ET; Group VI (G VI) - from the irrigating syringe to the end of ET. One hundred and twenty samples were processed, incubated, and colonies were identified by means of biochemical tests. Microbial growth was verified in 20% of the samples collected from G I; 30% from G II; 55% from G III; 50% from G IV; 90% from G V, and 90% from G VI. Results: the statistical analysis performed by the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests showed most frequent contamination for Groups V and VI in relation to Groups I and II (p < 0.05). The most frequently found microorganism was Staphylococcus spp., with 79%. Conclusion: it was concluded that the sterile saline solution may be contaminated during its use in endodontic treatment.

Keywords : Removal of contaminants; Microbiology; Endodontics.