ACCIDENTS AND COMPLICATIONS WITH SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE IRRIGANTS IN ENDODONTIC TREATMENT – A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Sodium hypochlorite is the most widely used endodontic irrigant as an antimicrobial solution to aid in the biomechanical preparation of root canals. However, extravasation of this substance in the periapical region or oral cavity can cause accidents and complications to the patient. To review the literature on accidents and complications associated with the use of sodium hypochlorite as an endodontic irrigating solution. This is an integrative literature review of articles published in the last 10 years in Portuguese, Spanish, and English. The research for the review was carried out from March 2024 to August 2024, with searches being carried out in the following databases: Virtual Health Library (VHL) and National Institutes of Health (PubMed) using the following Health Science Descriptors (DeCS): Accident; Endodontics; sodium hypochlorite, combining the terms using the Boolean operator “AND”, and their respective translations duly standardized in the Medical Subject Headings (MESH): Accident; Endodontics; Sodium hypochlorite. Inclusion criteria were: clinical cases and exclusion criteria: monograph and literature review for selection of articles. A total of 71 articles were located. Of these, after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 35 articles were excluded because they did not meet the criteria. Twenty-seven articles were selected for full reading, with a final sample of 9 articles. The use of sodium hypochlorite is a common and effective practice in endodontics, but requires careful management to avoid complications. The safety of the procedure depends not only on the choice of concentration and appropriate technique, but also on the professional's ability to quickly recognize and treat adverse effects such as intense pain, necrosis and burning sensation. Sodium hypochlorite is an effective endodontic irrigant, but its inappropriate use can cause serious complications, such as burns, neurological damage and ulcerations. It is up to the professional to know how to identify the problem and take quick measures in order to cause less harm to the patient. However, taking preventive measures is the best way to avoid accidents and complications in endodontic practice.