PURPOSE: To compare rat subcutaneous connective tissue reaction to dentine contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis associated with 0.9% sterile saline, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and 2% chlorhexidine gel (CHX). METHODS: Dentine was crushed into powder and inoculated with E. faecalis. Tested substances were mixed with contaminated dentine and placed in polyethylene tubes. Ten male Wistar rats had their backs divided into four quadrants that received an implant containing one of the tested substances. An empty tube was used as a control. Five rats were randomly distributed for evaluation at time intervals of 24 hours and 72 hours. Tissue samples were histologically processed. Tissue reactions to experimental groups were evaluated under optical microscopes. RESULTS: Groups of 5.25% NaOCl induced greater inflammatory response after 24 hours and 72 hours. Compared to groups of 2% CHX, the groups of 0.9% sterile saline showed milder inflammatory reactions after 24 hours and more severe after 72 hours. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that 5.25% NaOCl group showed a higher inflammatory reaction to rat subcutaneous connective tissue and the 2% chlorhexidine group showed the least reaction.
Chlorhexidine; root canal irrigants; sodium hypochlorite; subcutaneous tissue
