EVALUATION OF THE DISSOLVING EFFICACY OF ESSENTIAL OILS ON ENDODONTIC OBTURATING MATERIALS: AN IN VITRO STUDY.

Abstract

Aim:Endodontic retreatment is a procedure that removes the lling materials from the root canals followed by their cleaning, shaping and obturation. This in-vitro study aimed to compare and evaluate the ability of various essential oils as solvents in dissolving gutta-percha, epoxy resin, and zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) cements. Materials and methods: A total of 28 cylindrical specimens in each group ZOE, epoxy resin, 28 ISO size 40 gutta-percha cones were prepared and divided into four groups for immersion in the different solvents, i.e. lemon oil, citronella oil, lavender oil, and TCE(Tetrachloroethylene (control)) for 5 minutes. The obturating materials dissolution in the solvents were obtained by the difference between the pre-immersion original weight and the post-immersion weight on a digital analytical scale. Data were statistically analysed by a paired t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) (p < 0.05). Results: Order of efcacy of dissolution of essential oils was found to be lemon oil > Citronella oil > Lavender oil and was highly signicant (p < 0.01). In all the solvents, Gutta-percha showed maximum dissolution (Fvalue:149.56) followed by ZOE(89.07 ) and resin sealer least (23.86). Conclusion: It can be concluded that the lemon oil can be used as a solvent for dissolving obturating materials.