Efficacy of calcium hypochlorite in disinfection of gutta-percha cones contaminated with Candida albicans

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2.5% calcium hypochlorite [Ca(OCl) 2 ], and 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) in the rapid disinfection of gutta-percha cones contaminated with Candida albicans . The minimum inhibitory and minimum fungicidal concentrations of each solution for C. albicans were determined and the ability of each solution to destroy and inhibit biofilm in culture wells was tested. In addition, ninety-eight gutta-percha cones contaminated with the fungal suspension were disinfected according to the type of solution (2.5% NaOCl, 2.5% Ca(OCl) 2 or 2% CHX) in its different application methods (without agitation, ultrasonic agitation or agitation with Easy Clean), and regarding the exposure time to each irrigating solution (1 or 5 min). Next, the samples were checked for turbidity and evaluation of viable colonies. The compounds that showed the best performance in biofilm destruction were NaOCl and Ca(OCl) 2 at a concentration of 2xMIC ( p