In vitro assessment of the antimicrobial action and the mechanical ability of chlorhexidine gel as an endodontic irrigant

The objective of this study was to assess the chlorhexidine gluconate gel as an endodontic irrigant. First the ability of chlorhexidine gel to disinfect root canals contaminated in vitro with Enterococcus faecalis was investigated. A scanning electron microscope was also used to evaluate its cleansing ability compared with endodontic irrigants commonly used, such as sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine gluconate liquid. The results indicated that the chlorhexidine gel produced a cleaner root canal surface and had an antimicrobial ability comparable with that obtained with the other solutions tested. It was concluded that chlorhexidine gluconate in gel form has potential for use as an endodontic irrigant.