title: Mechanism of action of sodium hypochlorite.
abstract: The choice of an irrigating solution for use in infected root canals requires previous knowledge of the microorganisms responsible for the infectious process as well as the properties of different irrigating solutions. Complex internal anatomy, host defenses and microorganism virulence are important factors in the treatment of teeth with asymptomatic apical periodontitis. Irrigating solutions must have expressive antimicrobial action and tissue dissolution capacity. Sodium hypochlorite is the most used irrigating solution in endodontics, because its mechanism of action causes biosynthetic alterations in cellular metabolism and phospholipid destruction, formation of chloramines that interfere in cellular metabolism, oxidative action with irreversible enzymatic inactivation in bacteria, and lipid and fatty acid degradation. The aim of this work is to discuss the mechanism of action of sodium hypochlorite based on its antimicrobial and physico-chemical properties.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, Federal University of Goiós, Goiânia, Brazil. estrela3@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Estrela
authors.forename: Cyntia R A
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Estrela
authors.forename: Eduardo Luis
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Barbin
authors.forename: Júlio César E
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Spanó
authors.forename: Melissa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Marchesan
authors.forename: Jesus D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Pécora
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002700:Chloramines / Q000378:metabolism; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D016877:Oxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000628:therapy; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012995:Solubility; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D002700:Chloramines; D004202:Disinfectants; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D005227:Fatty Acids; D008055:Lipids; D016877:Oxidants; D010743:Phospholipids; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite