title: Reduction in bacterial loading using 2% chlorhexidine gluconate as an irrigant in pulpectomized primary teeth: a preliminary report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the reduction in bacterial loading using 2% chlorhexidine gluconate as an irrigating solution in pulpectomized primary teeth.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, controlled clinical trial was performed that included primary teeth with pulp necrosis. Forty necrotic teeth were included, 20 irrigated with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (experimental group) and 20 with sterile saline solution (control group); in all cases, 2 microbiological samples from within the canals were taken with sterile paper points, the first after the canal opening and before the first irrigation, and the second after instrumentation and final irrigation, before filling. All samples were evaluated by McFarlands scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results were statistically analyzed by the Mann-Whitney U test. After analyzing samples before and after irrigation in the control group (saline), we found a significant decrease of bacterial load (P < 0.0002). The same occurred in the chlorhexidine group samples (P < 0.0001). When both groups were compared post-irrigation, a statistically significant difference was observed in favor of 2% chlorhexidine gluconate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Two percent chlorhexidine gluconate showed a greater reduction of intracanal bacterial loading compared with that observed with sterile saline solution. This irrigating solution is suggested as an alternative for pulpectomy of necrotic primary teeth.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Dentistry Posgraduate Program, Facultad de Estomatología, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, México.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Ruiz-Esparza
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garrocho-Rangel
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gonzalez-Amaro
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Flores-Reyes
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Pozos-Guillen
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D011670:Pulpectomy / Q000379:methods*; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine