Development and Characterization of Sodium Hypochlorite Gel for Endodontic Use

Abstract

AbstractThe sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) strong cytotoxicity and the potential to cause accidents by extrusion are the main concerns about its use as root canal irrigant. NaOCl gel has been proposed to improve safety. This research aimed to develop and characterize a NaOCl gel formulation using a surfactant. Seven gels with 2.5% NaOCl were produced using sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) with concentrations between 2.0% and 5.0%. The gels were characterized by pH, surface tension, wettability, viscosity, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), bactericidal potential, and organic tissue dissolution. The gels pH which concentration was between 2.0% and 4.5% did not differ significantly from the 2.5% NaOCl solution. The surfactant reduced surface tension by more than 50% in all the gels, without statistical difference between them. Wettability decreased as SLES percentage in NaOCl formulation increased. The SLES addition provided viscous formulations. FTIR analysis showed intermolecular interactions between the SLES and NaOCl. Only 3.0% and 3.5% gels showed significantly reduced bactericidal activity (15 ± 0.7). All gels presented significantly reduced organic matter dissolution rate compared to the NaOCl solution (>56.33 ± 2.88 min). SLES is a surfactant compatible with NaOCl and promising viscosifying agent.