Role of sodium hypochlorite and ethyl alcohol and mechanical cleaning aid in cleaning used healing abutments: A cross-sectional study

AIM: This study compared the effectiveness of two chemical disinfectants in combination with mechanical and ultrasonic cleaning followed by sterilization in rendering healing abutments (HAs) reusable. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the dental hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four used HAs were collected and randomly allocated into two groups. After macro-mechanical cleaning with a proxa brush, Group 1 was disinfected with 5% sodium hypochlorite and Group 2 with 72% ethyl alcohol for 10 min. All the samples were subjected to ultrasonic cleaning and long-cycle autoclaving. HAs were stained with Phloxine B and examined under magnification to evaluate residual contamination on occlusal, abutment driver hole (ADH), body (occlusal, middle, connector), connector (towards body [CB], middle [CM], screw [CS]), and screw thread regions. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data were analyzed using the Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests at a significance level of P < 0.05. RESULTS: Both groups exhibited residual contamination. Significantly higher staining was observed in the ethyl alcohol group on occlusal and body regions (P < 0.05). Increased staining was also noted in ADH and connector regions, which was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Although sodium hypochlorite was found to be more effective than ethyl alcohol for HA decontamination, persistent bioburden, particularly in ADH, connector, and thread regions, emphasizes the need for a multi-step protocol including cleaning disinfection and sterilization of HAs for reuse.