Comparative Evaluation of Surface Changes on Gutta-Percha Cones Treated With Different Herbal Disinfectants: A Scanning Electron Microscopic Study
Author(s): Snehal Gaware*, Rishikesh Meshram, Nikhil Sathawane and Rohit Amburle
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze surface topography of gutta-percha cones after rapid chemical disinfection with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, 96.30% aloe Vera gel and 100% lemon grass oil.
Materials and methods: From a sealed packet, 28 GP cones of size F3 protaper were selected and distributed into four groups containing 7 GP cones in each group. The following were the groups: Group 1- Control group, Group 2- Sodium hypochlorite, Group 3- Aloe Vera gel, Group 4 - Lemon grass oil. GP cones in each group were soaked in the respective disinfectant solution for 1 minute before being examined under a scanning electron microscope for the variations in the surface topography. Chi-square test was used to compare the results between the various groups in statistical analysis. P value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
Results: The results of the study demonstrated that aloe Vera gel caused the least surface alterations in gutta-percha cones when compared to sodium hypochlorite and lemon grass oil.
Conclusion: Within the limitation of the study, it is concluded that even though lemon grass shows high antimicrobial activity it is not as safe as aloe Vera as it causes high surface changes in gutta-percha after disinfection. Therefore,aloe Vera gel can be regarded as a safer choice for disinfecting gutta-percha cones.