Agonistic and Antagonistic Interactions between Chlorhexidine and Other Endodontic Agents: A Critical Review

Abstract

Root canal irrigants play a significant role in elimination of the microorganisms, tissue remnants, and removal of the debris and smear layer. No single solution is able to fulfill all these actions completely; therefore, a combination of irrigants may be required. The aim of this investigation was to review the agonistic and antagonistic interactions between chlorhexidine (CHX) and other irrigants and medicaments. An English-limited Medline search was performed for articles published from 2002 to 2014. The searched keywords included: chlorhexidine AND sodium hypochlorite/ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid/calcium hydroxide/mineral trioxide aggregate. Subsequently, a hand search was carried out on the references of result articles to find more matching papers. Findings showed that the combination of CHX and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) causes color changes and the formation of a neutral and insoluble precipitate; CHX forms a salt with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). In addition, it has been demonstrated that the alkalinity of calcium hydroxide (CH) remained unchanged after mixing with CHX. Furthermore, mixing CHX with CH may enhance its antimicrobial activity; also mixing mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) powder with CHX increases its antimicrobial activity but this may negatively affect its mechanical properties.

Introduction

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is a synthetic cationic bisguanide consisting of two symmetric 4-cholorophenyl rings and two biguanide groups, connected by a central hexamethylene chain [1]. It is used in dentistry because of being effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria as well as yeasts (mycobacteria and bacterial spores are resistant to CHX) and its substantivity and relatively low toxicity [2]. CHX is a positively charged hydrophobic and lipophilic molecule that interacts with phospholipids and lipopolysaccharides on the cell membrane of bacteria and then enters the cell through some type of active or passive transport mechanism [3]. Its efficacy is due to the interaction of the positively charged molecule with the phosphate groups on microbial cell walls with negative charge thereby altering the cells’ osmotic equilibrium [4, 5]. Activity of CHX is pH dependent and is greatly reduced in the presence of organic matter.

This increases the permeability of the cell wall, which allows the CHX molecule to penetrate into bacteria. CHX is a base and is stable in the salt form. The most common oral preparation, CHX gluconate, is water-soluble and at physiologic pH level it readily dissociates and releases the positively charged CHX component [1]. At low concentrations of CHX (0.2%), lower molecular weight substances such as potassium and phosphorous will leak out of the cell. On the other hand, at higher concentrations (2%), CHX is bactericidal and precipitation of the cytoplasmic contents results in cell death [4].

Different endodontic agents used as intracanal medicaments or irrigants may interact with CHX. For instance, interaction of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) mixed with chlorhexidine (CHX) produces a brown precipitate containing para-chloroaniline (PCA) which is not only toxic but also interferes with canal sealing [2]. Regarding intracanal calcium hydroxide (CH) medication, it is proved that mixing CH with CHX increases its antibacterial effects [6].

Exposure to CHX decreases the push-out bond strength of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) to dentin [7]. However, the antibacterial effect of MTA elevated after mixing with CHX [8, 9]. Moreover, mixing MTA with CHX did not alter the sealing ability of MTA [10].

Chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) can interact with CHX, as it is shown that subsequent use of CHX, NaOCl and EDTA can cause a color change in dentine [10].

The aim of the present critical review is to determine the interaction between CHX and different endodontic agents according to the results of previous studies published from 2002 to 2014.

Materials and Methods

Retrieval of literature

An English-limited Medline search was performed through the articles published from 2002 to 2014. The searched keywords included “chlorhexidine AND sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl)”, “chlorhexidine AND ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)”, “chlorhexidine AND calcium hydroxide (CH)”, and “chlorhexidine AND mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)". Then, a hand search was done in the references of collected articles to find more matching papers.

Results

A total of 1095 articles were found which in order of their related keywords are “567-chlorhexidine AND NaOCl”, “255-chlorhexidine AND EDTA”, “252-chlorhexidine AND CH” and “21-chlorhexidine AND MTA".

Combination of irrigants and medicaments with CHX

Despite having important useful properties, CHX possesses some drawbacks as well. One of its important drawbacks is lacking tissue solubility, which is one of the most important properties of a standard irrigation solution [11]. Therefore, CHX cannot be used as a routine root canal irrigant and should be used as final rinse following root canal irrigation with NaOCl [11].

A suggested clinical protocol by Zehnder [12] for dentin treatment before root canal filling consists of: a) irrigation with NaOCl to dissolve the organic components, b) irrigation with EDTA to assist in the elimination of the smear layer and finally, c) irrigation with CHX to increase the anti-microbial spectrum of activity and impart substantivity.

Studies have demonstrated that in retreatment cases where microbial species like Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) are the main causes of treatment failure, CH is ineffective against these two species [13]. Therefore, combination of CHX with CH is considered favorable and for this reason the effects of this combination on the properties of each of the mentioned materials needs to be evaluated. Moreover, considering the drawbacks of CHX, combining it with other irrigants and medicaments seems to be important for improving its action as an endodontic irrigant.

Interaction between CHX and NaOCl

The combined use of NaOCl and CHX has been advocated to enhance their antimicrobial properties. In other words, a final rinse with CHX offers the advantage of substantivity (due to its affinity to dentine hydroxyl apatite) which prolongs the antimicrobial activity of CHX [14]. However, the disadvantage is that the when NaOCl is mixed with CHX, an orange-brown particle (PCA) is formed which results in precipitation a chemical smear layer that covers the dentinal tubules thus interfering with the seal of the root filling [15]. In addition, this precipitate changes the color of the tooth and is cytotoxic [2, 15].

A study used electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-QTOF-MS) analyses to investigate the byproducts formed after combination of CHX and NaOCl [16]. Findings revealed that 2% CHX gel and solution immediately produced PCA precipitate when combined with 1, 2.5 and 5.25% NaOCl solutions, but in combination with 0.16% NaOCl an orange-white precipitate was formed [16].

It seem that the oxidizing activity of NaOCl causes chlorination of the guanidino nitrogens of the CHX [17]. Basrani et al. [17] detected the presence of PCA in this orange-brown precipitate. On the other hand, several other studies which used different methodologies failed to detect it [16, 18, 19]. PCA is mutagenic and cytotoxic in microorganisms [14]. Some concerns over possible carcinogenicity of PCA has also been expressed [14]. Basrani et al. [17] tested concentrations ranging from 0.023 to 6% of NaOCl to investigate the minimum NaOCl concentration required to form a precipitate when mixed with 2% CHX. Results showed that instant color change occurred in all samples from dark brown to light orange. Precipitation was induced with 0.19% NaOCl with varying amounts of material formed in the different mixtures [17].

Studies have been undertaken to elucidate the chemical composition of the flocculate produced by the association of NaOCl with CHX [16-21]. Marchesan et al. [20] combined different concentrations of NaOCl (0.5, 2.5, and 5%) and CHX (0.2-2%) with variable proportions which resulted in immediate formation of a brownish flocculate. Using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), Basrani et al. [17], showed that PCA was present at concentrations directly related to the NaOCl concentration.

Krishnamurthy and Sudhakaran [22] detected PCA following mixing 2.5% NaOCl with 2% CHX. Chhabra et al. [23] showed that PCA is toxic and carcinogenic. Also by using environmental scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the influence of irrigation on debris removal and patency of dentinal tubules was assessed [24]. Findings revealed that there was no difference in remaining debris; however there was a reduction in number of patent dentinal tubules in the coronal and middle thirds when irrigated with 5.25% NaOCl or when combined with 2% CHX [24]. Using SEM, Valera et al. [25] assessed the percentage of patent and occluded tubules after root canal instrumentation and irrigation with 2.5% NaOCl combined with 2% CHX in liquid or gel forms, intercalated by physiologic saline, with half of the experimental groups receiving a final flush with 17% EDTA. Findings indicated that 2% CHX gel caused the highest number of open dentinal tubules, whereas 2% CHX liquid presented the lowest. The additional using of EDTA and physiologic saline as a final flush improved the cleaning and debris removal. Akisue et al. [26] compared the effects of combining 1% NaOCl and 2% CHX on dentinal permeability using rhodamine dye leakage, and found that the mixture of NaOCl and CHX caused a reduction of permeability only in the apical third. Vivacqua-Gomes et al. [27] showed that a precipitate formed after combining 1% NaOCl and 2% CHX gel, which stained the dentin and adhered to the canal walls. They suggested that this precipitate enhanced dye penetration in obturated teeth [27].

In summary, the combination of NaOCl and CHX causes color changes and the formation of a neutral and insoluble precipitate, which may interfere with the seal of the root filling. Therefore, drying the canal with paper points before the final CHX rinse is suggested.

Interaction between CHX and chelators

In an in vitro study on bovine dentin slices using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, Gonzalez-Lopez et al. [28] assessed the effect of adding 1% CHX and 10 to 20% citric acid (CA) on the demineralizing capacity of CA. Results showed that after 3, 10, and 15 min of immersion, the decalcifying effect of CA remained unchanged [28].

Akisue et al. [26] showed that using 15% CA followed by 2% CHX caused the formation of a milky solution with no precipitation. Gonzalez-Lopez et al. [28] and Rasimick et al. [29] demonstrated that it was difficult to obtain a homogeneous solution when mixing CHX with EDTA and a precipitate composed chiefly of the original components formed. Gonzalez-Lopez et al. [28] showed that it is not possible to obtain a homogenous solution by mixing 17% EDTA and 1% CHX. Prado et al. [16] showed that after combination with EDTA, CHX produced a white-milky precipitate, related to the acid-base reactions. When combined with saline and ethanol, a salt precipitation was noticed. Furthermore, no precipitate was observed when CHX was used together with distilled water, CA or phosphoric acid [16].

In summary, CHX forms a salt with EDTA rather than undergoing a chemical reaction.

Interaction between CHX and CH

The optimal antimicrobial activity of CHX is achieved within a pH range of 5.5 to 7.0 [13]. Therefore, it seems that alkalinizing the pH by adding CH to CHX, precipitates CHX molecules and decreases its effectiveness. However, it has been demonstrated that the alkalinity of CH in the mixture remained unchanged. Therefore, the usefulness of mixing CH with CHX still remains unclear and controversial [30].

When used as an intracanal medicament, CHX was more effective than CH in eliminating E. faecalis harbored within the dentinal tubules [13, 30]. In a study by Almyroudi et al. [31], all of the tested CHX formulations including a 50:50 mixture of CHX and CH, were efficient in eliminating E. faecalis from the dentinal tubules; a 1% gel CHX worked slightly better than the other preparations. These findings were corroborated by Gomes et al. [4] in bovine dentine and Schafer and Bossmann [32] in human dentine where 2% gel CHX had greater activity against E. faecalis, followed by liquid CHX and CH and then CH used alone. Using agar diffusion test, Haenni et al. [33] could not demonstrate any additive antibacterial effect by mixing CH powder with 0.5% CHX. In fact, they showed that CHX had reduced antibacterial action. However, CH did not lose its antibacterial properties in such a mixture [33]. This may be due to the deprotonation of CHX at pH levels greater than 10, which reduces its solubility and alters its interaction with bacterial surfaces as a result of altered charge of the molecule [33]. Ercan et al. [34] showed that 2% gel CHX was the most effective agent against E. faecalis inside human dentinal tubules, followed by a CH mixed with 2% CHX, whilst CH alone was totally ineffective, even after 30 days. The 2% gel CHX was also significantly more effective than the CH and 2% CHX mixture against C. albicans at seven days, although there was no significant difference at 15 and 30 days. CH alone was completely ineffective against C. albicans. In another study on primary teeth, 1% CHX gluconate gel with and without CH, was more effective against E. faecalis than CH alone within a 48-h period      [35].

Schafer and Bossmann [32] reported that 2% CHX gluconate was significantly more effective against E. faecalis than CH used alone, or a mixture of the two. This was also confirmed by Lin et al. [36]. In a study by Evans et al. [37] using bovine dentine, 2% CHX with CH was shown to be more effective than CH mixed with water. In an animal study, Lindskog et al. [38] reported that teeth dressed with CHX for 4 weeks had reduced inflammatory reactions in the periodontium (both apically and marginally) and less root resorption. Waltimo et al. [39] reported that 0.5% CHX acetate was more effective in killing C. albicans than saturated CH, while CH combined with CHX was more effective than CH used alone.

In summary, combined use of CHX and CH in the root canal may generate excessive reactive oxygen species, which may potentially kill various root canal pathogens. In addition, it has been demonstrated that the alkalinity of CH when mixed with CHX remained unchanged. Furthermore, mixing CHX with CH may enhance its antimicrobial activity.

Interaction between CHX and MTA

MTA is marketed in gray and white colored preparations: both contain 75% Portland cement, 20% bismuth oxide and 5% gypsum by weight. MTA is a hydrophilic powder which requires moisture for setting. Traditionally, MTA powder is mixed with supplied sterile water in a 3:1 powder/liquid ratio. Different liquids have been suggested for mixing with the MTA powder such as lidocaine anesthetic solution, NaOCl and CHX [40].

Stowe et al. [41] determined the effect of substituting sterile water with 0.12% CHX as MTA liquid on the antimicrobial activity of white MTA. They found that 0.12% CHX enhanced the antimicrobial activity of MTA. This finding was confirmed by Holt et al. [42]. Hernandez et al. [43] compared the percentage of apoptotic cells and the cell cycle profile of fibroblasts and macrophages exposed to either MTA mixed with CHX or MTA mixed with sterile water. Results showed that MTA specimens containing CHX induced apoptosis of macrophages and fibroblasts. In contrast, no change in the proportion of apoptotic cells was observed when sterile water was used to prepare the specimens.

Cell cycle analysis showed that exposure to MTA/CHX decreased the percentage of fibroblasts and macrophages in S phase (DNA synthesis) as compared with exposure to MTA/water. On the other hand, Sumer et al. [44] examined the biocompatibility of MTA mixed with CHX histopathologically. They found that MTA/CHX was encapsulated by fibrous connective tissue, which indicates that it was well tolerated by the tissues. Yan et al. [45] found that CHX had no negative effect on the bond strengths of MTA-dentin in vitro. Kogan et al. [46] found that MTA paste prepared with CHX did not set. Furthermore, Holt et al. [42] found that MTA mixed with sterile water always had higher compressive strengths than MTA mixed with CHX. Shahi et al. [47] evaluated the sealing ability of white and gray MTA mixed with distilled water and 0.12% CHX when used as retrograde filling material. Results showed that CHX had no negative effect on the sealing ability of MTA.

Overall, it can be concluded that mixing MTA powder with CHX increases its antimicrobial activity but may have a negative effect on its mechanical properties.

Conflict of Interest: ‘None declared’.