Comparative in vitro study of the disinfectant potential of three substances used in endodontics

To ensure the cleaning and sanitization of the root canal system during mechanical and chemical preparation, potentiation by physical agents is important. The literature shows that an average of 35% to 53% of the canal walls remain untouched, exposing the limitations of mechanical instruments and emphasizing the importance of chemical substances for chemical-surgical preparation and tubular decontamination. The aim of the present study was to analyze the disinfecting capacity of three chemical substances used in endodontic treatment on an aggressive species of microorganism. The methodology applied was an experimental laboratory study to compare the antimicrobial potential of 1% Sodium Hypochlorite, 2% Chlorhexidine and 17% Silver Nanoparticle, used in endodontics against the pathogen E. Faecalis, selected from the microorganism bank of the laboratory of Molecular and Clinical Microbiology of the Graduate Program in Health Sciences at and whose storage and use was previously authorized by the Research Ethics Committee of the São Francisco University. After collecting data, it was possible to check the results and conclude that the 2% chlorhexidine solution presented the best results in terms of antimicrobial efficacy compared to the 1% sodium hypochlorite solution, followed by the silver nanoparticles at 17%. The latter was not able to form a growth inhibition halo against E.faecalis in vitro.