A Novel Approach to Gutta-Percha Disinfection: Evaluating Hypochlorous Acid Against Standard Endodontic Disinfectants

Objective: It is advisable to decontaminate gutta-percha cones before their insertion into the root canal system. The prevalence of contamination remains a contentious issue. This study aimed to assess and compare the effectiveness of several chemical agents for disinfecting gutta-percha cones (GP). Methods: One hundred and ninety size F3 GP cones were used. The cones were contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans following immersion. Three chemical agents were used: 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX), 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), and 200ppm hypochlorous acid (HOCL). GP cones were immersed in the chemical agents for periods of 1 and 5 minutes. Following disinfection, the cones were incubated in thioglycolate broth, and the turbidity of the medium was used to indicate bacterial growth. Results: CHX and NaOCl showed time-dependent regrowth of both microbes after short (1-minute) exposures; only a 5-minute NaOCl exposure achieved sustained bacterial elimination. In contrast, 200 ppm HOCl demonstrated immediate and complete eradication of both pathogens with all exposure times, showing no regrowth over 14 days. Conclusions: HOCl proved superior to CHX and NaOCl, exhibiting rapid, stable, and prolonged antimicrobial efficacy without significant reduction over time.