Evaluation of pulp tissue dissolving efficiency of sodium and calcium hypochlorite solutions activated by ultrasonics and laser: an in vitro study

This study aimed to compare the tissue dissolving capacities of sodium and calcium hypochlorite [NaOCl and Ca(OCl)₂] solutions applied without activation or with two irrigant activation methods.

One hundred and eight dentin cavities were prepared. Preweighed tissue pieces were placed in these dentin cavities, and samples were divided into nine groups of twelve. In groups 1, 2, and 3, NaOCl was used with non-activation (NA), passive ultrasonic (PUA), and laser activation (LA). With the same techniques, Ca(OCl)₂ was used in groups 4, 5, and 6, and distilled water was used in groups 7, 8, and 9. The weight loss of tissue samples was calculated and analyzed using Two-way ANOVA and Duncan tests.

Distilled water groups showed no tissue dissolution in any conditions. NaOCI and Ca(OCI)₂ showed statistically similar dissolving effectiveness when used with the same technique. Activated groups dissolved significantly greater tissue than non-activated ones, the highest in LA.

Ca(OCI)₂ can be an alternative to NaOCl; for both, the first choice of activation may be the LA.