Antimicrobial Effectiveness of Hypochlorous Acid in Infected Dentin Tubules: A Pilot Study

Objective: To assess the disinfection capacity of HOCl, NaOCl, and CHX on dentinal tubules. Methods: Enterococcus faecalis suspension was supplemented to the dentin blocks. The groups were created according to the irrigation solution, 2.5% NaOCl was used in Group 1, 2% CHX in Group 3, and 200 ppm HOCI in Group 3. All the irrigants (50 µL) were dropped on dentin for 30 seconds, 1 min, and 3 min. Four samples were selected for each solution group to form its control group. To observe the bacterial growth 10 ml of a sample taken from the tubes was cultivated on Mueller-Hinton agar. After the incubation, the total number of colonies was determined. Result: In Group 1, the number of colonies in the samples taken for all three-time intervals was 0, and the solution efficiency was found to be 100%. In Group 2, the success rate was 97.4%, 99.2%, and 99,9% for 30 sec., 1 min, and 3 min, respectively. In Group 3, the success rate was 63%, 86.3%, and 93,4% for 30 sec., 1 min, and 3 min, respectively. Conclusion: HOCl has a success rate of antimicrobial effect of more than 90% at the end of the 3 min duration on dentinal tubules.