| Summary: | Context: To evaluate the residual antimicrobial effects and surface alterations of gutta-percha disinfected with four different solutions.
Materials and Methods: Eighty gutta-percha cones (ISO #40) were randomly assigned to four experimental groups; different types of disinfecting solutions were used for each, namely sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), chlorhexidine (CHX), aloe vera, and propolis (n = 20 for each group). The cones were immersed in each solution for 5 minutes and 10 minutes; thereafter they were dried. Agar diffusion assay was performed to assess the zone of inhibition. Scanning electron microscope analysis was conducted on additional 80 disinfected cones.
Statistical Analysis Used: The data was analyzed using ANOVA and Bonferroni multiple comparison test and Man–Whitney U test.
Results: Statistical significance was observed among the four groups (P < 0.05). Group IV displayed no statistical significance at 5 minutes and 10 minutes exposure, whereas groups I, II, and III displayed statistical significance at both exposures. Based on the above-mentioned results, gutta-percha when immersed in propolis for 5 minutes and 10 minutes had shown better residual antibacterial action as compared to other test solutions. No surface alterations were detected on gutta-percha cones during the selected time intervals.
Conclusion: Propolis followed by aloe vera possesses superior antibacterial efficacy as compared to sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine and does not cause any surface alterations to gutta-percha.
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