Clinical efficiency of 2% chlorhexidine gel in reducing intracanal bacteria.

摘要

This study evaluated the clinical efficacy of 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) gel on intracanal bacteria reduction during root canal instrumentation. The additional antibacterial effect of an intracanal dressing (Ca(OH) 2 mixed with 2% CHX gel) was also assessed. Forty-three patients with apical periodontitis were recruited. Teeth were instrumented using rotary instruments and 2% CHX gel as the disinfectant solution. Bacterial samples were taken upon access (S1), after instrumentation (S2), and following 2 weeks of intracanal dressing (S3). Anaerobic culture was performed. Of the samples cultured positively at S1, 10.3% (4/39) and 8.3% (4/36) sampled bacteria at S2 and S3, respectively. A significant difference in the percentage of positive culture between S1 and S2 (p<0.001), but not between S2 and S3 (p=0.692), was found. These results suggest that 2% CHX gel is an effective root canal disinfectant and additional intracanal dressing did not significantly improve the bacteria reduction on the sampled root canals.