Effect of chloroform, xylene, and halothane on enamel and dentin microhardness of human teeth

Objective. The purpose of this study was to assess in vitro the effect of commonly used gutta-percha solvents on the microhardness of human enamel and dentin. Study design. Crowns of human teeth were cut and treated with chloroform, xylene, and halothane, Treatment consisted of exposing the specimens for 5 or 15 minutes to the test solvents. Acid-treated and saline-treated specimens served as controls. After each treatment period, the specimens were rinsed, dried, and prepared for Vicker's microhardness analysis. Vicker's microhardness values for each specimen were recorded before and after treatment, and the differences were statistically compared. Results. A statistically significant decrease in enamel and dentin microhardness was found in most solvent-treated groups; the amount of the decrease was directly related to the exposure time. Conclusions. Chloroform, xylene, and halothane may cause a significant softening effect on both enamel and dentin. This softening is already apparent after 5 minutes of treatment.