Efficacy of different concentrations of sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine in disinfection of contaminated Resilon cones

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of different concentrations of Chlorhexidine (CHX) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) in disinfecting contaminated Resilon cones within one minute. Study design: Fifty Resilon cones were divided into seven experimental groups and three control groups of 5 cones each. The cones of experimental groups were contaminated with Entrococcus faecalis and subsequently disinfected with different concentrations of NaOCl or CHX. The cones were then transferred into glass tubes containing thioglycollate media and incubated for 7 days. The tubes were examined for turbidity every 24 hours, and if bacterial growth occurred, samples were plated, incubated, gram stained and observed under microscope to confirm E.faecalis growth. Negative, positive, and washing control groups were also used. Results: All the positive and washing control showed profound E.faecalis growth. All the cones disinfected with CHX showed bacterial growth; however, no E.faecalis growth occurred in any samples disinfected with NaOCl. Conclusion: Sodium hypochlorite, at concentrations of 0.5 to 5.25%, is an effective agent for disinfection of contaminated Resilon cones within one minute; however, chlorhexidine is unable to disinfect Resilon cones during one-minute exposure. Key words: Chlorhexidine, sodium hypochlorite, resilon, entrococcus faecalis.