Effect of various disinfectant solutions on the tensile strength of gutta-percha using the rapid sterilization technique.

CONTEXT: Gutta-percha (GP) gets contaminated during handling. It becomes imperative to ensure GP is sterile before placement in root canal space.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the tensile strength of GP treated with four different disinfectant solutions: 3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), amla juice (AJ), Aloe vera (AV) juice, and pancha tulsi (PT).

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study design was an in vitro study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty GP cones with a size of 30 were procured from sealed packages in five different groups. Experimental groups were disinfected for 1 min with 3% NaOCl, AJ, AV, and PT except the control group. Tensile and Brinell Testing Machine is used to measure the tensile strengths of GP.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Results were subjected to statistical analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn's post hoc test.

RESULTS: The mean tensile strength values for Groups A, B, C, D, and E are 9.49 Mpa, 13.33 Mpa, 12.58 Mpa, 12.69 MPa, and 13.56 MPa, respectively. In the herbal disinfectant group, such as AJ, AV, and PT, the tensile strength was not significantly altered, whereas in the 3% NaOCl group, it was reduced considerably.

CONCLUSIONS: AJ, AV juice, and PT as a GP disinfectant do not alter the tensile strength of GP cones.