Minimum Contact Time and Concentration of Sodium Hypochlorite Required to Eliminate Enterococcus faecalis

Introduction: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the concentration of sodium hypochlorite and the irrigation time required to disinfect dentin cylinders infected with Enterococcus faecalis. Methods: Four hundred fifty dentin cylinders (5 mm in diameter and 4 mm in height) with a lumen (2-3 mm in width) were prepared from freshly extracted bovine incisors. The cementum and predentin were then removed. The tubules were opened by using a 4-minute application with 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and 5.25% NaoCl and then exposed to E. faecalis (ATCC 4082) for 3 weeks in brain-heart infusion broth. The cylinders were then divided into 3 groups, and a 1.3%, 2.5%, or 5.25% concentration of NaOCl was applied in 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, 25-, 30-, 35-, and 40-minute intervals for a total of 30 subgroups including positive and negative controls. Each test sample was placed into a tube of 2 mL brain-heart infusion broth and incubated for 72 hours. Absence of turbidity demonstrated no bacterial growth, whereas turbidity indicated presence of remaining viable bacteria. Results: The most effective irrigation regimen was 5.25% at 40 minutes, whereas irrigation with 1.3% and 2.5% NaOCl for this same time interval was ineffective in removing E. faecalis from infected dentin cylinders. Conclusions: High concentration and long exposure to NaOCl are needed for elimination of E. faecalis contaminated dentin. (J Endod 2010;36:520-523)