In vitro evaluation of different chemical agents for the decontamination of gutta-percha cones

this study evaluated the effectiveness of three disinfectants used in dentistry for decontamination of gutta-percha cones. sixty gutta-percha cones were contaminated with standardized pure cultures of five species of microorganisms (enterococcus faecalis atcc 29212, staphylococcus aureus atcc 25923, candida albicans atcc cbs-icb/usp 562, bacillus subtilis spores atcc 6633 and streptococcus mutans atcc 25175). the cones were treated with 10% polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine aqueous solution (pvp-i; groups 1 and 2), 5.25% aqueous sodium hypochlorite (groups 3 and 4) and paraformaldehyde tablets (group 5). all chemical agents were efficient for the cold sterilization of gutta-percha cones in short time periods.