Dissolution of pulp tissue by aqueous solution of chlorhexidine digluconate and chlorhexidine digluconate gel.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the activity of various root canal irrigants on bovine pulp tissue.


METHODS
The irrigants tested were: 0.5, 1.0 and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite; 2% aqueous solution of chlorhexidine digluconate; 2% chlorhexidine digluconate gel (Natrosol); and distilled water as control. Bovine pulp fragments were weighed and placed in contact with 20 mL of each tested substance in a centrifuge at 150 r.p.m. until total dissolution. Dissolution speed was calculated by dividing pulp weight by dissolution time. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test.


RESULTS
Distilled water and both solutions of chlorhexidine did not dissolve the pulp tissue within 6 h. Mean dissolution speeds for 0.5, 1.0 and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite solutions were 0.31, 0.43 and 0.55 mg min(-1), respectively. The solvent ability of chlorhexidine solutions was similar to that of distilled water. The results for sodium hypochlorite solutions, chlorhexidine solutions and distilled water were statistically different (P>0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Both chlorhexidine preparations and distilled water were not able to dissolve pulp tissue. All sodium hypochlorite solutions were efficient in dissolving pulp tissue; the dissolution speed varied with the concentration of the solution.
Okino
L A
LA
Department of Endodontics, Dental School, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. lieni@ig.com.br
Siqueira
E L
EL
Santos
M
M
Bombana
A C
AC
Figueiredo
J A P
JA
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000187:drug effects*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D005782:Gels; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D012995:Solubility; D012996:Solutions; D012997:Solvents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water
D004202:Disinfectants; D005782:Gels; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D012996:Solutions; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine