Interaction between EDTA and sodium hypochlorite: A nuclear magnetic resonance analysis

Recent studies detected erosion of the dentinal walls following the use of EDTA as a final flush. Several authors have studied degradation of EDTA and it appears to be caused by an oxidation reaction. The objective of this paper was to verify through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis if the oxidizing property of sodium hypochlorite inactivates EDTA. Solutions of sodium hypochlorite and EDTA were analyzed. EDTA tracing and the appearance of new signals indicative of by-products of the reaction, were studied at different time intervals with a NMR analysis. The tracings of NMR analysis confirmed that the reaction between sodium hypochlorite and EDTA lead to a very slow but progressive degradation of this compound. Mindful of the limitations of an in vitro study, the results of this study nevertheless demonstrated that a final flush with sodium hypochlorite cannot limit the chelating effects of EDTA in a clinically realistic time period.