Effect of Different Disinfectant Solutions on the Properties of Gutta Percha Cones

Abstract

The purposes of this study was to investigate the effect of sodium hypochlorite (SH) and chlorhexidine (CH) disinfectant solusions on surface texture and mechanical properties of gutta percha (GP) cones at different concentrations and time intervals. In this study, 190 GP cones size 100 were used. SH solutions at (1%, 2.5%, 5.25%) and CH solutions at (1%, 1.5%, 2%) were used for GP cones disinfection by submerging cones for (10 min, 15 min, 20 min) in each of the solutions to be tested, in which 10 cones were used for each disinfectant solution at every time interval, and 10 cones remain fresh as a control. Surface texture determined by stereomicroscope. Mechanical properties measured by digital universal testing machine. SH solutions at (2.5% and 5.25%) decrease tensile strength, increase modulus of elasticity, decrease percentage of elongation , and left a numerous pitting on GP cones after (10, 15, 20) minutes of disinfection which were significantly different from fresh control cones, 1% SH , and CH at (1%, 1.5%, 2%).Within the limitation s of this study, SH at 1% and CH at (1%, 1.5%, 2%) concentrati ons can be considered the most safe solutions for disinfection of GP cones.