The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of five different solvents: xylol, eucalyptol, halothane, chloroform and orange oil on softening gutta-percha in simulated root canals. One drop of solvent was placed into a reservoir made in a simulated canal whose channel was previously instrumented and filled with gutta-percha and N-Rickert sealer. After 5 min, softening was evaluated for each solvent by the penetration of a spreader while applying force with a 442 Instron apparatus to reach a depth of 5 mm. The results were analyzed statistically by the Kruskal-Wallis test. Xylol and orange oil were better in softening gutta-percha than the other solvents. There was no significant difference between xylol and orange oil, but these were statistically different from eucalyptol, halothane and chloroform (p < 0.01).

em me confiar a "grande oportunidade" a fim de desenvolver a minha pesquisa. Por ter me acolhido e agraciado com sua amizade e seus conhecimentos inigualáveis. Tentar mostrar minha gratidão em palavras seria ousar por demais, contudo, não tentar, seria pecar por omissão. Deixo para o futuro o fruto de dois anos de estudo. Muitas células foram cultivadas e sacrificadas. Foram dias e meses de laboratório. Lembro-me como se fosse hoje: você Professora Maria Luiza e sua equipe de trabalho: