ABSTRACT
AIM: The present study was designed to evaluate and compare the corrosion rates of the stainless-steel endodontic files when immersed in 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate, 5.25% NaOCl, chlorinated soda with KOH, and 17% EDTA irrigating solutions. METHODOLOGY: Corrosion rates of stainless-steel K-files in irrigating solutions were determined electrochemically by the Tafel extrapolation method. The cutting flutes of files were immersed in solutions and used as an electrode. A saturated calomel electrode (SCE) was used as a reference, and a platinum plate was used as a counter electrode. In order to determine corrosion rates, the linear part of anodic currents obtained from electrochemical current-potential curves, was extrapolated to corrosion potentials. RESULTS: The corrosion rates of stainless-steel files in the tested solutions from the highest to the lowest were: 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate>5.25% NaOCl>chlorinated soda with KOH>17% EDTA. The differences between the corrosion rates of files were not found to be statistically different for chlorinated soda with KOH and EDTA (P >0.05), but statistically significant differences were found amongst other groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study indicated that 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate, 5.25% NaOCl and chlorinated soda with KOH cause severe corrosion on the surface of selected stainless-steel files.
