ABSTRACT
AIM: To determine the influence of activation method (ultrasound or laser), concentration, pH and exposure time on the reaction rate (RR) of NaOCl when in contact with dentinal walls. METHODOLOGY: The walls from standardized root canals in bovine incisors were exposed to a standardized volume of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) with different concentrations (2% and 10%), pH (5 and 12) and exposure times (1 and 4min). Two irrigation protocols were tested: passive ultrasonic irrigation or laser activated irrigation with no activation as the control. The activation interval lasted 1min followed by a rest interval of 3 min with no activation. The RR was determined by measuring the iodine concentration using an iodine/thiosulfate titration method. RESULTS: Exposure time, concentration and activation method influenced the reaction rate of NaOCl whereas pH did not. CONCLUSIONS: Activation is a strong modulator of the reaction rate of NaOCl. During the rest interval of 3min, the consumption of available chlorine increased significantly. This effect seems to be more pronounced after irrigant activation by laser. pH did not affect the reaction rate of 2% NaOCl.
