Clinical efficiency of 2% chlorhexidine gel in reducing intracanal bacteria

This study evaluated the clinical efficacy of 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) gel on intracanal bacteria reduction during root canal instrumentation. The additional antibacterial effect of an intracanal dressing (CaOH](2) mixed with 2% CHX gel) was also assessed. Forty-three patients with apical periodontitis were recruited. Four patients with irreversible pulpitis were included as negative controls. Teeth were instrumented using rotary instruments and 2% CHX gel as the disinfectant. Bacterial samples were taken upon access (S1), after instrumentation (S2), and after 2 weeks of intracanal dressing (S3). Anaerobic culture was performed. Four samples showed no bacteria growth at S1, which were excluded from further analysis. Of the samples cultured positively at S1, 10.3% (4/39) and 8.3% (4/36) sampled bacteria at S2 and S3, respectively. A significant difference in the percentage of positive culture between S1 and S2 (p < 0.001) but not between S2 and S3 (p = 0.692) was found. These results suggest that 2% CHX gel is an effective root canal disinfectant and additional intracanal dressing did not significantly improve the bacteria reduction on the sampled root canals.