Efficacy of sodium hypochlorite as a rapid disinfecting agent of gutta percha cones Padda Bhupinder Kaur*, Professor & Head, Damanpreet, Senior Lecturer *Address for Correspondence: Dr. Bhupinder Kaur Padda, Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Swami Devi Dyal Hospital & College, Barwala.
Online published on 1 October, 2011. Abstract Gutta Percha cones are generally received in aseptic conditions. However, contamination is possible either by handling, aerosols or from physical sources during storage. The gutta percha cones can be decontaminated by cold sterilization with the disinfectants like alcohol, povidine iodine, formaldehyde gas, hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine, sodium hypochlorite, and quaternary ammonium compounds. According to literature most effective agent is sodium hypochlorite, which is routinely used in dental clinics. The aim of the study was to test that out of two concentrations of sodium hypochlorite 2.5% & 5%, which is more effective. Secondly, it is always stressed that sodium hypochlorite should be freshly prepared but generally clinicians are in the habit of using already prepared solution. So the effectiveness of freshly prepared & 24 hours old solutions were tested. 146 gutta percha cones were tested for decontamination at different contact periods after artificially contaminating with two organisms Bacillus subtilis & Bacillus sterothermophilis. After exposing to the disinfectants for different time periods, they were tested for the presence of any living organism on the cones by inoculating them in brain heart infusion broth. Results show that 2.5% NaOCl gives similar antimicrobial activity as that of 5% for rapid decontamination of gutta percha cones. NaOCl exposed for 24 hours shows better results than fresh NaOCl. Top Keywords Gutta percha cones, Sodium hypochlorite, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus sterothermophilus, concentrations, turbidity, disinfection, antimicrobial activity, culture media. Top |