“Effect of 2% chlorhexidine final rinse on dentinal tubule penetration of root canal sealers- an in vitro study”

Introduction: Chemomechanical preparation reduces the bacterial load but does not result in complete disinfection of the root canal system. Irrigation is a critical compliment to instrumentation and 2% Chlorhexidine has shown a great promise in recent times as an endodontic irrigant. Penetration of root canal sealer into the dentinal tubules is considered a desirable feature beneficial for entombing residual bacteria. Making smear-free dentin more wettable with the help of tensioactive agents may further increase sealer penetration. Studies have shown that smear layer removal and final rinse with 2% chlorhexidine favoured the wettability of sealers. So, this study is done to determine the effect of 2% chlorhexidine as final rinse on dentinal tubule penetration of two different endodontic sealers: TubliSeal™ (zinc oxide eugenol- based) and AH Plus® (epoxy resin- based) with the aid of Confocal laser scanning microscope. Materials and Method: 80 extracted, human, single- rooted mandibular premolars were decoronated at the level of CEJ. Working length was determined and instrumentation done to apical #30 (0.06 taper). Irrigation was done with 5 mL of 3% NaOCl solution between instruments. 2% chlorhexidine was used as the final irrigant in half of the samples. Teeth were obturated using sealers labelled with 0.1% Rhodamine B dye, sectioned into coronal, middle and apical sections and examined under confocal laser scanning microscope. Results and Conclusion: AH Plus® showed more penetration depths than TubliSeal™. Maximum mean sealer penetration depth was seen in middle sections, followed by coronal root sections and least in apical sections.