Accidentes con el uso del hipoclorito de sodio en endodoncia

Abstract

Sodium hypochlorite is an inorganic chemical solution produced by the reaction between sodium and chlorine. It is an alkaline solution with tissue dissolving properties, which is why it is used to disinfect root canals. Its use as an irrigation solution in the root canal system is safe, but accidents can occur. The objective was to describe the accidents associated with the use of sodium hypochlorite in endodontics. For this purpose, a systematic review was carried out in which 20 articles published between 2017 and 2024 were included. The accidents that can occur due to the use of sodium hypochlorite in endodontics are splashes on clothing, eye splashes or splashes on the skin and mucous membranes, periradicular extrusion, extrusion into the maxillary sinus, or ingestion of sodium hypochlorite. Complications for the patient's health are acute pain, inflammation, ecchymosis, hematomas, lockjaw, tissue damage, apical bleeding, tissue necrosis, apical cortical fenestration, and corrosive lesions. To prevent this type of accidents and complications, optimal training of the treating dentist is necessary to identify risks, perform maneuvers appropriately, identify the problem if it occurs and take quick measures to cause less harm to the patient, which would allow the root length is correctly determined and an appropriate selection of the syringe and needle with which the irrigation is to be performed.