Role of sodium hypochlorite and ethyl alcohol and mechanical cleaning aid in cleaning used healing abutments: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: This study compared the effectiveness of two chemical disinfectants in combination with mechanical and ultrasonic cleaning followed by sterilization in rendering healing abutments (HAs) reusable.

SETTINGS AND

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the dental hospital.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Sixty-four used HAs were collected and randomly allocated into two groups. After macro-mechanical cleaning with a proxa brush, Group 1 was disinfected with 5% sodium hypochlorite and Group 2 with 72% ethyl alcohol for 10 min. All the samples were subjected to ultrasonic cleaning and long-cycle autoclaving. HAs were stained with Phloxine B and examined under magnification to evaluate residual contamination on occlusal, abutment driver hole (ADH), body (occlusal, middle, connector), connector (towards body [CB], middle [CM], screw [CS]), and screw thread regions.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data were analyzed using the Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests at a significance level of P < 0.05.

RESULTS

Both groups exhibited residual contamination. Significantly higher staining was observed in the ethyl alcohol group on occlusal and body regions (P < 0.05). Increased staining was also noted in ADH and connector regions, which was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Although sodium hypochlorite was found to be more effective than ethyl alcohol for HA decontamination, persistent bioburden, particularly in ADH, connector, and thread regions, emphasizes the need for a multi-step protocol including cleaning disinfection and sterilization of HAs for reuse.