Chlorhexidine gel associated with papain in pulp tissue dissolution

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the capacity of 2% chlorhexidine gel associated with 8% papain gel in comparison with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite in bovine pulp tissue dissolution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety bovine pulps of standardized sizes were used and fragmented into 5-mm sizes. The fragments were removed from the root middle third region. They were divided into 6 experimental groups (n = 15), 1) 8% papain; 2) 2% chlorhexidine; 3) 2% chlorhexidine associated with 8% papain; 4) 0.9% saline solution; 5) 2.5% sodium hypochlorite; and 6) 5.25% sodium hypochlorite. The pulp fragments were weighed and put into immobile test tubes for dissolution for time intervals of 30, 60, 90, and 120 min. RESULTS: The 5.25% sodium hypochlorite had greater dissolution potential than the pure papain, and when associated with chlorhexidine, both promoted greater dissolution than did the saline solution and 2% chlorhexidine groups (p < 0.05). The 2.5% sodium hypochlorite promoted dissolution to a lesser extent than the groups with papain within a period of 30 min (p < 0.05), but, was comparable to the saline solution and chlorhexidine. After 120 min, the 2.5% and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite promoted dissolution of 100% of the pulp fragments, and papain, 61%, while chlorhexidine associated with papain and chlorhexidine alone dissolved only 55% and 3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The 8% papain in gel, both alone and in association with chlorhexidine, was able to dissolve bovine pulp tissue, but to a lesser extent than did 5.25% sodium hypochlorite.

Sealing ability promoted by three different endodontic sealers

The aim of this study was to evaluate the apical and coronal seal of endodontic filling promoted by the combined use of Sealer 26/gutta-percha, Endofill/gutta-percha and Resilon/ Epiphany. A total of 38 extracted human canine teeth were selected; 10 teeth for each test group and 4 for each control group. After conducting conventional endodontic treatment, the teeth were immersed in saline solution for thirty days, and subsequently sealed and stored in India ink for seven days. They were then cleaned and evaluated for infiltration by stereoscopic microscope. The data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Bonferroni tests. The results showed no significant differences between the three groups of filling materials used. Within the limitations of this in vitro study, no material showed superiority in their apical and coronal seal