RAPID ANTISEPSIS OF GUTTA-PERCHA CONES: CONVENTIONAL SOLUTIONS VERSUS NANOTECHNOLOGICAL APPROACHES — AN INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

 The success of endodontic therapy requires rigorous microbiological control and hermetic sealing of the root canal system. As gutta-percha is a thermosensitive polymer subject to rapid clinical contamination, its immersion antisepsis within an ideal timeframe of 30 to 60 seconds becomes essential. However, traditional disinfectants can compromise the material's structure, which has driven the investigation of nanotechnology as an alternative. This study aimed to analyze the antimicrobial efficacy and surface topography alterations promoted by rapid antisepsis protocols in gutta-percha cones, comparing nanotechnological agents with conventional solutions. An integrative review was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, and VHL/LILACS databases, considering studies published between 2020 and 2026. Eight studies focused on rapid disinfection (between 30 and 60 seconds) and its physicochemical impacts were selected. Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) promoted rapid bacterial elimination; however, it caused erosion of the organic matrix and precipitation of sodium chloride crystals. Chlorhexidine (CHX) at 2% preserved the polymer surface but demonstrated slow action against mature biofilms. Solutions of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), chitosan, and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) achieved microbiological inactivation in up to 60 seconds while maintaining surface smoothness. The analyzed studies indicate promising results for nanotechnological formulations regarding antimicrobial activity and surface preservation; however, additional studies and clinical evidence are needed to confirm their superiority and safety.