Contamination of -percha cones in clinical use by endodontic specialists and general practitioners

• Main Authors: Marcia Cristina André Moreira-Nacif (Author), Marilia Fagury Videira Marceliano-Alves (Author), Flavio Rodrigues Ferreira-Alves (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Universidad de Antioquia, 2017-06-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.rfo.v28n2a6; 0121-246X; 2145-7670
• Keywords: bacterial contamination; endodontic infection; gutta-percha; endodontic treatment; root canal; contaminación bacteriana; infección en endodoncia; gutapercha; endodoncia; conducto radicular; Dentistry; RK1-715
• Source: Revista Facultad de Odontología Universidad de Antioquia, Vol 28, Iss 2, Pp 327-340 (2017)

Introduction: the present study evaluated the microbial contamination of gutta-percha cones proceeding from packages used clinically by endodontic specialists and general practitioners. Methods: two gutta-percha cones were selected from 30 original packages, already in clinical use, in dental clinics. The cones were transferred directly to test tubes containing thioglycolate broth and incubated at 37 °C for 21 days in aerobiosis. All tests were done in triplicate. Fractions proceeding from the tubes that presented turbidity were plated in CLED agar and Gram staining. Results: Among the gutta-percha cone boxes tested, 9 (30%) showed bacterial contamination in the tested cones, 4 (13%) of those coming from general practitioners and 5 (17%) coming from specialists. There was no significant difference in the contamination of cones in relation to their origin (p>0,05). Conclusion: The results of the present study reinforce the need for both clinical dentists and endodontics specialists to implement a strict disinfection protocol before using gutta-percha cones, due to the frequency of contamination.