Efficacy of gutta-percha solvents used in endodontic retreatments

Resumo

The aim of this study was to evaluate
the effectiveness of four different solvents and classify them according
to their potential of action. Material and methods: Four solvents
were tested: xylene, eucalyptol, orange oil and chloroform. Twelve
gutta-percha points (medium-large), sectioned at 10 mm were used
and divided into four groups, resulting in three samples for each
solvent. The gutta-percha points were weighed on an analytical balance
before being subjected to the action of solvents and subsequently
put onto watch glasses that were immersed into the solutions for
the following times: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 minutes. The percentage of
mass loss was registered through weighing after every minute of
action of the solvent on the points. Results: All solvents showed the
first minute of action as the period of greatest power of dissolution
because they act only on the gutta-percha itself and not on the other
components of the point, suggesting that at the remaining minutes
there would be a lower percentage of dissolution because there was
a smaller amount of gutta-percha within the points. Conclusion:
Chloroform and xylene showed similar results regarding the rate
of dissolution of gutta-percha, yet they were statistically significant
higher than eucalyptol and orange oil from 1 to 5 minutes.