Etidronate causes minimal changes in the ability of sodium hypochlorite to dissolve organic matter

Aim To evaluate the effect of individual and combined use of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), etidronate (HEDP) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in tissue dissolution. Methodology Sixty fragments of bovine muscle tissue were prepared and their weights determined on a precision scale. The samples were then distributed in the following groups (n = 10): G1 – saline solution (control); G2 – 17% EDTA; G3 – 18% HEDP; G4 – 2.5% NaOCl; G5 – mixture of 5% NaOCl + 17% EDTA; and G6 – mixture of 5% NaOCl + 18% HEDP. The specimens in each group were immersed in the solutions for 5, 10 and 15 min and reweighted at each time period. Analysis of variance (anova) and Tukey's multiple‐comparison tests (α G5 = G3 = G2 = G1 after 5 min of immersion and G4 > G6 > G5 = G3 = G2 = G1 after 10 and 15 min of immersion. Conclusion The only solution capable of dissolving organic matter was NaOCl. In the mixtures analysed, this ability was arrested by EDTA; however, it was minimally affected by the HEDP, proving that this combination, if used during the biomechanical preparation, is able to dissolve of organic matter.