During irrigation, sodium hypochlorite is followed immediately by chlorhexidine, and a brown-orange precipitate forms in the canal. What is the most appropriate way to minimize this in future?
- Correct answer
Remove residual hypochlorite with an intermediate rinse and dry the canal before using chlorhexidine
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Heat the chlorhexidine before using it
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Use a higher concentration of sodium hypochlorite
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Mix the chlorhexidine with EDTA
This question is one of 15 in AFK practice: Endodontics. Test yourself on all of them.
Practice quiz FlashcardsExplanations
Sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine react to form an insoluble precipitate that can block tubules and discolour the tooth. Removing the residual hypochlorite with an intermediate rinse and drying the canal with paper points before using chlorhexidine reduces it. Saline or water reduce but may not fully eliminate the precipitate; alcohol and other intermediate rinses have been more effective in laboratory studies. A higher hypochlorite concentration would make the problem worse.
Source: Cohen's Pathways of the Pulp — oneguy
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