Evaluation of tissue dissolution ability of modifi ed chlorhexidine as a root canal irrigant

The fi rst and main goal of root canal treatment is the elimination of microorganisms from the contaminated root canal system and providing an environment for the healing of periapical tissues. Instrumentation alone cannoteffectivelyclean the complex root canal system. Souse of irrigantsalong mechanicalpreparationis required. But no single solution is able to fulfi ll these actions completely. Chlorhexidineis one of the substances thatis usedas anirrigantin endodontics. It has broadantimicrobialspectrum, but itdoes not have theability todissolveorganictissues. It has been shownthat theaddition ofsurfactantin thesolution can increasesthe abilityof dissolvetissue.In this in vitro study tissue-dissolving capacity of sodium hypochlorite (5/25% and 2/5%), chlorhexidine (0/2%) and modifi ed chlorhexidine (chlorhexidine + benzalkonium chloride and chlorhexidine + sodium lauryl solphate) were compared.Tissue samples prepared from bovine pulp and each of the samples immersed for 20 minutes in each test solution (changing the solution every 2 minutes).The sampleswereweighedbefore and aftertesting. The weight difference divided by the initial weight of the tissue sample, multiplied by 100, was defi ned as the percentage of tissue solubility.NaOCl 5/25% was more solublethantheothersolutions. ExceptCHX 0/2% and salineno statistically signifi cant differences was found between the tissuedissolving properties of othersolutions and NaOCl 5/25%.The results of this study indicate that the use of 0/2%CHX+2%SLS as irrigant in endodontic can show similar effect with NaOCl 5/25% in the solubility.