Evaluation of Capacity of Essential Oils in Dissolving ProTaper Universal Gutta-Percha points.

PURPOSE: Solvents may be used to remove the filling materials. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of formulated orange oil, orange oil and formulated eucalyptol in dissolving F3 ProTaper Universal Gutta-percha points.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: 200 samples were used and divided into four groups, further divided in fifty samples for each solvent. The samples were weighed on an analytical balance before being subjected to the action of solvents. Subsequently, they were put onto watch glasses, 7X45mm in length, and immersed into solutions for the following times: 5, 10, 20, 25 and 30 minutes. The loss of mass was recorded by weighing samples after every minute of action of the solvent on the points. Data were statistically analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test at a significance level of 5%.

RESULTS: All solvents showed that the first five minutes of action was the period of greatest dissolving power. In terms of immersion time, xylol (control group) exhibited a markedly superior ability in dissolving the gutta-percha points compared to other solvents and, also, showed statistically significant differences. A continuous dissolution was observed in all groups. Formulated orange oil presented a markedly superior solvent effect on filling materials compared to orange oil and formulated eucalyptol; however, there were no statistically significant differences.

CONCLUSION: Considering the results obtained and methodology employed, it can be concluded that xylol was the most effective solvent in dissolving gutta-percha points, followed by formulated orange oil, orange oil and formulated eucalyptol oil.