European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

STERILIZATION OF GUTTA-PERCHA CONE WITH 2.5% SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE, 2.2% GLUTERALDEHYDE, 3% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE AND 5% ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL: AN EX VIVO EVALUATION

Dr. Neha Vyas, *Dr. Mayank Chansoria, Dr. Ruchi Singh

ABSTRACT

AIM: The objective of the present study was to assess the efficacy of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and 2.2% glutaraldehyde ('Cidex') and 3% hydrogen peroxide and 5% isopropyl alcohol as sterilizing agents for gutta-percha cones. METHODOLOGY: Gutta-percha cones artificially contaminated with a suspension of Bacillus stearothermophilus (ATCC/7953) were treated with either 2.5% sodium hypochlorite for 5, 10 , 15 and 30 min.and 2.2% Glutaraldehyde 5, 10, 15 and 30min and 3% hydrogen peroxide 5, 10, 15, 30 min. and 5% isopropyl alcohol for 5, 10 , 15 and 30 min . The cones were then incubated in thioglycollate medium for the determination of microbial growth. I, RESULTS: The results showed that 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and 2.2% glutaraldehyde was not effective after 5, 10 and 15 min, whereas 30 min was necessary to obtain sterilization. . 3% hydrogen peroxide and 5% isopropyl alcohol produced better results, where 10 and 15 min treatment produced higher percentage of disinfection. 100% disinfection of gutta-percha cones was achieved only with 30 min treatment for all the tested disinfectants. CONCLUSIONS: All four chemical disinfectants failed to disinfect gutta-percha cones artificially contaminated with G. stearothermophilus in 5 min in the given condition. 5% isopropyl alcohol produced better results, where 10 and 15 min treatment produced higher percentage of disinfected tubes. 100% disinfection of gutta-percha cones was achieved only with 30 min treatment for all the tested disinfectants

Keywords: sodium hypochlorite, glutaraldehyde ('Cidex'), G. stearothermophilus.