Impact of Different Disinfection Agents on Rapid Chemical Sterilisation and Surface Characteristics of Gutta-Percha Cones: An In Vitro Analysis

Abstract

The primary aim of this research was to evaluate and contrast  the efficacy of five disinfecting agents: 3% sodium hypochlorite, 2% chlorhexidine, grape seed extract (Vitisvinifera), aloe vera juice (Aloe barbadensis) and normal saline—in the disinfection of gutta-percha (GP) cones. A total of fifty GP cones (N = 50) were selected and deliberately contaminated through immersion in a culture of E. faecalis, which was inoculated in brain-heart infusion (BHI) broth at a regulated temperature of 37°C for a duration of 72 hours. After drying, the cones were categorized into five treatment groups, each comprising 10 samples. Each group was further subdivided into two time-based subgroups, representing disinfection intervals of 1 minute and 10 minutes. The cones were treated with their respective chemical disinfectants, air-dried and subsequently incubated in BHI broth at 37°C for an additional 72 hours. The turbidity of the broth and bacterial growth on chocolate agar media were monitored as indicators of bacterial presence. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to examine any alterations in the surface texture of the GP cones post-treatment. The effectiveness of each disinfectant in inhibiting bacterial proliferation was evaluated employing the Pearson chi-square test to determine statistical significance. The sodium hypochlorite-treated  group demonstrated a notably diminished level of E. faecalis growth on the GP cones at both the 1-minute and 10-minute intervals, with findings revealing statistical significance (p < 0.05). Grape seed extract yielded a moderate decrease in bacterial growth; however, aloe vera treatment did not produce a statistically significant effect on E. faecalis growth on the GP cones. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the GP cone surfaces illustrated varying degrees of pitting across the different groups. The 3% sodium hypochlorite group exhibited significant pitting, whereas the control and aloe vera groups presented minimal pitting. The 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) group displayed moderate pitting and mild pitting was noted in the grape seed extract group. Among the agents tested, sodium hypochlorite emerged as the most efficacious disinfectant for swift and comprehensive disinfection of GP.