Introduction: The aim of the present research was to evaluate the effectiveness of 5% malic acid, 17% EDTA and 10% citric acid solutions used to disinfect gutta-percha cones contaminated by Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212).
Methods and Materials: Two hundred and ten previously sterilized gutta-percha cones were contaminated with E. faecalis at concentration of 1.5×10 8 CFU/mL. The cones were immersed in 5% malic acid, 17% EDTA, 10% citric acid, 1% NaOCl and 2.5% NaOCl for 1, 5 and 10 min. Then each cone was kept in Eppendorf tubes containing BHI sterile solution at 37 ° C for 48 h. The presence of turbidity in BHI solution was analyzed. The results were statistically analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test and 5% Dunn comparisons. P -value was considered statistically significant when P <0.05.
Results: Regardless of exposure time, 1% NaOCl and 2.5% NaOCl were the most effective agents for rapid disinfection of gutta-percha cones ( P <0.001). All specimens immersed in experimental demineralized solutions presented bacterial growth ( P >0.05).
Conclusion: Demineralized solutions tested were not effective for elimination of Enterococcus faecalis on the surface of gutta-percha cones.
Competing Interests: ‘None declared’.