Temperature changes in 2% chlorhexidine gluconate using two activation methods with different intensity levels

BACKGROUND: Chlorhexidine is an irrigant solution widely used in root canal treatment because of its good antimicrobial properties. However, its mixture with sodium hypochlorite results in the appearance of substance called p-chloroaniline, a cytotoxic substance. This is also found when chlorhexidine is heated. The use of passive ultrasonic irrigation is related to an irrigant thermal increase, which can cause the appearance of p-chloroaniline. Thus, the objective is to establish the influence of ultrasonic and sonic activation, with the use of different intensities, upon the temperature of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The following groups were established: control (without activation), ultrasonic activation and sonic activation. A 0.5-ml volume of CHX was placed in an Eppendorf tube in a thermo-static bath at 37ºC. Both methods resulted in immediate CHX activation. The temperature was recorded every 30 seconds between 60 and 180 seconds. The statistical analysis was performed based on the Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: Both groups subjected to activation showed higher temperatures than the control group, and increased activation intensity was associated to greater temperature increments in both activated groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both ultrasonic and sonic activation are correlated to temperature increase in CHX. Key words:Chlorhexidine, p-choroaniline, PUI, sonic irrigation, temperature.