Chemical auxiliary substances (CAS) are essential for a successful disinfection and cleanness of the root canals, being used during the instrumentation and if necessary, as antimicrobial intracanal medicaments. Different CAS have been proposed and used, among which sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), chlorhexidine (CHX), 17% EDTA, citric acid, MTAD and 37% phosphoric acid solution. CHX has been used in Endodontics as an irrigating substance or intracanal medicament, as it possesses a wide range of antimicrobial activity, substantivity (residual antimicrobial activity), lower cytotoxicity than NaOCl whilst demonstrating efficient clinical performance, lubricating properties, rheological action (present in the gel presentation, keeping the debris in suspension); it inhibits metalloproteinase, is chemically stable, does not stain cloths, it is odorless, water soluble, among other properties. CHX has been recommended as an alternative to NaOCl, especially in cases of open apex, root resorption, foramen enlargement and root perforation, due to its biocompatibility, or in cases of allergy related to bleaching solutions. The aim of this paper is to review CHX's general use in the medical field and in dentistry; its chemical structure, presentation form and storage; mechanism of action; antimicrobial activity including substantivity, effects on biofilms and endotoxins, effects on coronal and apical microbial microleakage; tissue dissolution ability; interaction with endodontic irrigants; effects on dentin bonding, metalloproteinases and collagen fibrils; its use as intracanal medicament and diffusion into the dentinal tubules; its use as disinfectant agent of obturation cones; other uses in the endodontic therapy; and possible adverse effects, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity.24289102Abou-Rass, M., Piccinino, M.V., The effectiveness of 4 clinical irrigation methods on the removal of root-canal debris (1982) Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 54, pp. 323-328Gomes, B.P., Ferraz, C.C., Vianna, M.E., Berber, V.B., Teixeira, F.B., Souza, F.J., In vitro antimicrobial activity of several concentrations of sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine gluconate in the elimination of Enterococcus faecalis (2001) Int Endod J, 34, pp. 424-428Rocha, A.W., de Andrade, C.D., Leitune, V.C., Collares, F.M., Samuel, S.M., Grecca, F.S., Influence of endodontic irrigants on resin sealer bond strength to radicular dentin (2012) Bull Tokyo Dent Coll, 53, pp. 1-7Prado, M., Simão, R.A., Gomes, B.P., Impact of different irrigation protocols on resin sealer bond strength to dentin (2013) J Endod, , in pressGomes, B.P., Souza, S.F., Ferraz, C.C., Teixeira, F.B., Zaia, A.A., Valdrighi, L., Effectiveness of 2% chlorhexidine gel and calcium hydroxide against Enterococcus faecalis in bovine root dentine in vitro (2003) Int Endod J, 36, pp. 267-275Vianna, M.E., Horz, H.P., Conrads, G., Zaia, A.A., Souza, F.J., Gomes, B.P., Effect of root canal procedures on endotoxins and endodontic pathogens (2007) Oral Microbiol Immun, 22, pp. 411-418de Souza-Filho, F.J., de Soares, A.J., Vianna, M.E., Zaia, A.A., Ferraz, C.C., Gomes, B.P., Antimicrobial effect and pH of chlorhexidine gel and calcium hydroxide alone and associated with other materials (2008) Braz Dent J, 19, pp. 28-33Tomás, I., Rubido, S., Donos, N., In situ antimicrobial activity of chlorhexidine in the oral cavity (2011) Formatex, pp. 530-541Lang, N.P., Brecx, M.C., Chlorhexidine digluconate: An agent for chemical plaque control and prevention of gingival inflammation (1986) J Periodontal Res, 21, pp. 74-89Davies, G.E., Francis, J., Martin, A.R., Rose, F.L., Swain, G., 1:6-di-4'- chlorophenyldiguanidohexane ("Hibitane"). Laboratory investigation of a new antibacterial agent of high potency (1954) Br J Pharmacol Chemother, 9, pp. 192-196Denton, G.W., Chlorhexidine (1991) Disinfection, Sterilization and Preservation, pp. 274-289. , Block SS (Editor). 4th ed. Philadelphia: Lea & FebigerLoe, H., Schiott, C.R., Karring, G., Karring, T., Two years oral use of chlorhexidine in man. I. General design and clinical effects (1976) J Periodontal Res, 11, pp. 135-144Loe, H., Schiott, C.R., The effect of mouthrinses and topical application of chlorhexidine on the development of dental plaque and gingivitis in man (1970) J Periodontal Res, 5, pp. 79-83Fardal, O., Turnbull, R.S., A review of the literature on use of chlorhexidine in dentistry (1986) J Am Dent Assoc, 112, pp. 863-869Epstein, J.B., McBride, B.C., Stevenson-Moore, P., Merilees, H., Spinelli, J., The efficacy of chlorhexidine gel in reduction of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus species in patients treated with radiation therapy (1991) Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 71, pp. 172-178Clark, D.C., Morgan, J., Macentee, M.I., Effects of a 1% chlorhexidine gel on the cariogenic bacteria in high-risk elders: A pilot study (1991) Spec Care Dentist, 11, pp. 101-103de Rojas, E.F.J., Alemany, A.S., Burguera, A.C., Dios, P.D., Aplicaciones clínicas adicionales de colutorios antisépticos (2006) Periodoncia, 16, pp. 95-104Siqueira Jr., J.F., Rocas, I.N., Paiva, S.S., Guimaraes-Pinto, T., Magalhaes, K.M., Lima, K.C., Bacteriologic investigation of the effects of sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine during the endodontic treatment of teeth with apical periodontitis (2007) Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod, 104, pp. 122-130Delany, G.M., Patterson, S.S., Miller, C.H., Newton, C.W., The effect of chlorhexidine gluconate irrigation on the root canal flora of freshly extracted necrotic teeth (1982) Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 53, pp. 518-523Greenstein, G., Berman, C., Jaffin, R., Chlorhexidine. An adjunct to periodontal therapy (1986) J Periodontol, 57, pp. 370-377Jeansonne, M.J., White, R.R., A comparison of 2.0% chlorhexidine gluconate and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite as antimicrobial endodontic irrigants (1994) J Endod, 20, pp. 276-278Leonardo, M.R., Tanomaru, F.M., Silva, L.A., Nelson, F.P., Bonifacio, K.C., Ito, I.Y., In vivo antimicrobial activity of 2% chlorhexidine used as a root canal irrigating solution (1999) J Endod, 25, pp. 167-171Ferraz, C.C., Gomes, B.P., Zaia, A.A., Teixeira, F.B., Souza-Filho, F.J., In vitro assessment of the antimicrobial action and the mechanical ability of chlorhexidine gel as an endodontic irrigant (2001) J Endod, 27, pp. 452-455Vianna, M.E., Gomes, B.P., Berber, V.B., Zaia, A.A., Ferraz, C.C., de Souza, F.F.J., In vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of chlorhexidine and sodium hypochlorite (2004) Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod, 97, pp. 79-84Ercan, E., Ozekinci, T., Atakul, F., Gül, K., Antibacterial activity of 2% chlorhexidine gluconate and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite in infected root canal: In vivo study (2004) J Endod, 30, pp. 84-87Heling, I., Steinberg, D., Kenig, S., Gavrilovich, I., Sela, M.N., Friedman, M., Efficacy of a sustained-release device containing chlorhexidine and Ca(OH)2 in preventing secondary infection of dentinal tubules (1992) Int Endod J, 25, pp. 20-24Siqueira Jr., J.F., de Uzeda, M., Intracanal medicaments: Evaluation of the antibacterial effects of chlorhexidine metronidazole, and calcium hydroxide associated with three vehicles (1997) J Endod, 23, pp. 167-169Barbosa, C.A., Goncalves, R.B., Siqueira Jr., J.F., de Uzeda, M., Evaluation of the antibacterial activities of calcium hydroxide, chlorhexidine, and camphorated paramonochlorophenol as intracanal medicament. A clinical and laboratory study (1997) J Endod, 23, pp. 297-300Lindskog, S., Pierce, A.M., Blomlöf, L., Chlorhexidine as a root canal medicament for treating inflammatory lesions in the periodontal space (1998) Endod Dent Traumatol, 14, pp. 186-190Gomes, B.P., Vianna, M.E., Sena, N.T., Zaia, A.A., Ferraz, C.C., de Souza, F.F.J., In vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of calcium hydroxide combined with chlorhexidine gel used as intracanal medicament (2006) Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod, 102, pp. 544-550Vivacqua-Gomes, N., Ferraz, C.C., Gomes, B.P., Zaia, A.A., Teixeira, F.B., Souza-Filho, F.J., Influence of irrigants on the coronal microleakage of laterally condensed gutta-percha root fillings (2002) Int Endod J, 35, pp. 791-795Miyamoto, T., Takahashi, S., Ito, H., Inagaki, H., Noishiki, Y., Tissue biocompatibility of cellulose and its derivatives (1989) J Biomed Mater Res, 23, pp. 125-133Sena, N.T., Gomes, B.P., Vianna, M.E., Berber, V.B., Zaia, A.A., Ferraz, C.C., In vitro antimicrobial activity of sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine against selected single-species biofilms (2006) Int Endod J, 39, pp. 878-885Ferraz, C.C., Gomes, B.P., Zaia, A.A., Teixeira, F.B., Souza-Filho, F.J., Comparative study of the antimicrobial efficacy of chlorhexidine gel, chlorhexidine solution and sodium hypochlorite as endodontic irrigants (2007) Braz Dent J, 18, pp. 294-298Foulkes, D.M., Some toxicological observations on chlorhexidine (1973) J Periodontal Res Suppl, 12, pp. 55-60Greenstein, G., Jaffin, R.A., Hilsen, K.L., Berman, C.L., Repair of anterior gingival deformity with durapatite. A case report (1985) J Periodontol, 56, pp. 200-203Vianna, M.E., Horz, H.P., Gomes, B.P., Conrads, G., In vivo evaluation of microbial reduction after chemo-mechanical preparation of human root canals containing necrotic pulp tissue (2006) Int Endod J, 39, pp. 484-492Oncag, O., Hosgor, M., Hilmioglu, S., Zekioglu, O., Eronat, C., Burhanoglu, D., Comparison of antibacterial and toxic effects of various root canal irrigants (2003) Int Endod J, 36, pp. 423-432Dametto, F.R., Ferraz, C.C., Gomes, B.P., Zaia, A.A., Teixeira, F.B., de Souza-Filho, F.J., In vitro assessment of the immediate and prolonged antimicrobial action of chlorhexidine gel as an endodontic irrigant against Enterococcus faecalis (2005) Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod, 99, pp. 768-772Basrani, B., Lemonie, C., Chlorhexidine gluconate (2005) Aust Endod J, 31, pp. 48-52Ferguson, J.W., Hatton, J.F., Gillespie, M.J., Effectiveness of intracanal irrigants and medications against the yeast Candida albicans (2002) J Endod, 28, pp. 68-71Westcott, W.W., Martindale, M.W., (1989) The Extra Pharmacopoeia, , Reynolds JEF (Editor). 29th ed London. The Pharmaceutical PressSiqueira Jr., J.F., da Silva, C.H., das Cerqueira, M.D., Lopes, H.P., de Uzeda, M., Effectiveness of four chemical solutions in eliminating Bacillus subtilis spores on gutta-percha cones (1998) Endod Dent Traumatol, 14, pp. 124-126Gomes, B.P., Vianna, M.E., Matsumoto, C.U., de Rossi, V.P., Zaia, A.A., Ferraz, C.C., Disinfection of gutta-percha cones with chlorhexidine and sodium hypochlorite (2005) Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod, 100, pp. 512-517Gelinas, P., Goulet, J., Neutralization of the activity of eight disinfectants by organic matter (1983) J Appl Bacteriol, 54, pp. 243-247Khademi, A.A., Mohammadi, Z., Havaee, A., Evaluation of the antibacterial substantivity of several intra-canal agents (2006) Aust Endod J, 32, pp. 112-115Komorowski, R., Grad, H., Wu, X.Y., Friedman, S., Antimicrobial substantivity of chlorhexidine-treated bovine root dentin (2000) J Endod, 26, pp. 315-317Rosenthal, S., Spangberg, L., Safavi, K., Chlorhexidine substantivity in root canal dentin (2004) Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod, 98, pp. 488-492Mohammadi, Z., Abbott, P.V., The properties and applications of chlorhexidine in endodontics (2009) Int Endod J, 42, pp. 288-302Carrilho, M.R., Carvalho, R.M., Sousa, E.N., Nicolau, J., Breschi, L., Mazzoni, A., Substantivity of chlorhexidine to human dentin (2010) Dent Mater, 26, pp. 779-785Baca, P., Junco, P., Arias-Moliz, M.T., Castillo, F., Rodriguez-Archilla, A., Ferrer-Luque, C.M., Antimicrobial substantivity over time of chlorhexidine and cetrimide (2012) J Endod, 38, pp. 927-930Costerton, J.W., Stewart, P.S., Greenberg, E.P., Bacterial biofilms: A common cause of persistent infections (1999) Science, 21, pp. 1318-1322Spratt, D.A., Pratten, J., Wilson, M., Gulabivala, K., An in vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial efficacy of irrigants on biofilms of root canal isolates (2001) Int Endod J, 34, pp. 300-307Clegg, M.S., Vertucci, F.J., Walker, C., Belanger, M., Britto, L.R., The effect of exposure to irrigant solutions on apical dentin biofilms in vitro (2006) J Endod, 32, pp. 434-437Martinho, F.C., Chiesa, W.M., Zaia, A.A., Ferraz, C.C., Almeida, J.F., Souza-Filho, F.J., Comparison of endotoxin levels in previous studies on primary endodontic infections (2011) J Endod, 37, pp. 163-167Buck, R.A., Cai, J., Eleazer, P.D., Staat, R.H., Hurst, H.E., Detoxification of endotoxin by endodontic irrigants and calcium hydroxide (2001) J Endod, 27, pp. 325-327de Oliveira, L.D., Jorge, A.O., Carvalho, C.A., Koga-Ito, C.Y., Valera, M.C., In vitro effects of endodontic irrigants on endotoxins in root canals (2007) Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod, 104, pp. 135-142Tanomaru, J.M., Leonardo, M.R., Tanomaru, F.M., Bonetti, F.I., Silva, L.A., Effect of different irrigation solutions and calcium hydroxide on bacterial LPS (2003) Int Endod J, 36, pp. 733-739Silva, L.A., Leonardo, M.R., Assed, S., Tanomaru, F.M., Histological study of the effect of some irrigating solutions on bacterial endotoxin in dogs (2004) Braz Dent J, 15, pp. 109-114Signoretti, F.G.C., Gomes, B.P., Montagner, F., Tosello, F.B., Jacinto, R.C., Influence of 2% chlorhexidine gel on calcium hydroxide ionic dissociation and its ability of reducing endotoxin (2011) Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod, 111, pp. 653-658Gomes, B.P., Martinho, F.C., Vianna, M.E., Comparison of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and 2% chlorhexidine gel on oral bacterial lipopolysaccharide reduction from primarily infected root canals (2009) J Endod, 35, pp. 1350-1353Gomes, B.P., Endo, M.S., Martinho, F.C., Comparison of endotoxin levels found in primary and secondary endodontic infections (2012) J Endod, 38, pp. 1082-1086Endo, M.S., Martinho, F.C., Zaia, A.A., Ferraz, C.C., Almeida, J.F., Gomes, B.P., Quantification of cultivable bacteria and endotoxin in post-treatment apical periodontitis before and after chemo-mechanical preparation (2012) Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 31, pp. 2575-2583Gomes, B.P., Sato, E., Ferraz, C.C., Teixeira, F.B., Zaia, A.A., Souza-Filho, F.J., Evaluation of time required for recontamination of coronally sealed canals medicated with calcium hydroxide and chlorhexidine (2003) Int Endod J, 36, pp. 604-609Oliveira, D.P., Gomes, B.P., Zaia, A.A., Souza-Filho, F.J., Ferraz, C.C., In vitro assessment of a gel base containing 2% chlorhexidine as a sodium perborate's vehicle for intracoronal bleaching of discolored teeth (2006) J Endod, 32, pp. 672-674Oliveira, D.P., Gomes, B.P., Zaia, A.A., Souza-Filho, F.J., Ferraz, C.C., Ex vivo antimicrobial activity of several bleaching agents used during the walking bleach technique (2008) Int Endod J, 41, pp. 1054-1058de Oliveira, D.P., Teixeira, E.C., Ferraz, C.C., Teixeira, F.B., Effect of intracoronal bleaching agents on dentin microhardness (2007) J Endod, 33, pp. 460-462Marley, J.T., Ferguson, D.B., Hartwell, G.R., Effects of chlorhexidine gluconate as an endodontic irrigant on the apical seal: Short-term results (2001) J Endod, 27, pp. 775-778Ferguson, D.B., Marley, J.T., Hartwell, G.R., The effect of chlorhexidine gluconate as an endodontic irrigant on the apical seal: Long-term results (2003) J Endod, 29, pp. 91-94Wuerch, R.M., Apicella, M.J., Mines, P., Yancich, P.J., Pashley, D.H., Effect of 2% chlorhexidine gel as an intracanal medication on the apical seal of the root-canal system (2004) J Endod, 30, pp. 788-791Mohammadi, Z., Sodium hypochlorite in endodontics: An update review (2008) Int Dent J, 58, pp. 329-341Okino, L.A., Siqueira, E.L., Santos, M., Bombana, A.C., Figueiredo, J.A., Dissolution of pulp tissue by aqueous solution of chlorhexidine digluconate and chlorhexidine digluconate gel (2004) Int Endod J, 37, pp. 38-41Parsons, G.J., Patterson, S.S., Miller, C.H., Katz, S., Kafrawy, A.H., Newton, C.W., Uptake and release of chlorhexidine by bovine pulp and dentin specimens and their subsequent acquisition of antibacterial properties (1980) Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 49, pp. 455-459Zehnder, M., Root canal irrigants (2006) J Endod, 32, pp. 389-398Vianna, M.E., Gomes, B.P.F.A., Efficacy of sodium hypochlorite combined with chlorhexidine against Enterococcus faecalis in vitro (2009) Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod, 107, pp. 585-589Kuruvilla, J.R., Kamath, M.P., Antimicrobial activity of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate separately and combined, as endodontic irrigants (1998) J Endod, 24, pp. 472-476Do Prado, M., Simao, R.A., Gomes, B.P., Evaluation of different irrigation protocols concerning the formation of chemical smear layer (2013) Microsc Res Tech, 76, pp. 196-200Akisue, E., Tomita, V.S., Gavini, G., de Figueiredo, J.A.P., Effect of the combination of sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine on dentinal permeability and scanning electron microscopy precipitate observation (2010) J Endod, 36, pp. 847-850Bui, T.B., Baumgartner, J.C., Mitchell, J.C., Evaluation of the interaction between sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine gluconate and its effect on root dentin (2008) J Endod, 34, pp. 181-185Burkhardt-Holm, P., Oulmi, Y., Schroeder, A., Storch, V., Braunbeck, T., Toxicity of 4-chloroaniline in early life stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio): II. Cytopathology and regeneration of liver and gills after prolonged exposure to waterborne 4-chloroaniline (1999) Arch Environ Contam Toxicol, 37, pp. 85-102Heling, I., Chandler, N.P., Antimicrobial effect of irrigant combinations within dentinal tubules (1998) Int Endod J, 31, pp. 8-14Basrani, B.R., Manek, S., Sodhi, R.N., Fillery, E., Manzur, A., Interaction between sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine gluconate (2007) J Endod, 33, pp. 966-969Thomas, J.E., Sem, D.S., An in vitro spectroscopic analysis to determine whether para-chloroaniline is produced from mixing sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine (2010) J Endod, 36, pp. 315-317Nowicki, J.B., Sem, D.S., An in vitro spectroscopic analysis to determine the chemical composition of the precipitate formed by mixing sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine (2011) J Endod, 37, pp. 983-988Prasad, I., Mutagenic effects of the herbicide 3',4'-dichloropropionanilide and its degradation products (1970) Can J Microbiol, 16, pp. 369-372Ray, H.A., Trope, M., Periapical status of endodontically treated teeth in relation to the technical quality of the root filling and the coronal restoration (1995) Int Endod J, 28, pp. 12-18Hommez, G.M., Coppens, C.R., de Moor, R.J., Periapical health related to the quality of coronal restorations and root fillings (2002) Int Endod J, 35, pp. 680-689Uranga, A., Blum, J.Y., Esber, S., Parahy, E., Prado, C., A comparative study of four coronal obturation materials in endodontic treatment (1999) J Endod, 25, pp. 178-180Belli, S., Orucoglu, H., Yildirim, C., Eskitascioglu, G., The effect of fiber placement or flowable resin lining on microleakage in Class II adhesive restorations (2007) J Adhes Dent, 9, pp. 175-181Spangberg, L., Engstrom, B., Langeland, K., Biologic effects of dental materials. 3. Toxicity and antimicrobial effect of endodontic antiseptics in vitro (1973) Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 36, pp. 856-871Morris, M.D., Lee, K.W., Agee, K.A., Bouillaguet, S., Pashley, D.H., Effects of sodium hypochlorite and RC-prep on bond strengths of resin cement to endodontic surfaces (2001) J Endod, 27, pp. 753-757Hawkins, C.L., Davies, M.J., Hypochlorite-induced oxidation of proteins in plasma: Formation of chloramines and nitrogen-centred radicals and their role in protein fragmentation Biochem J 1999;1, 340, pp. 539-548Nikaido, T., Takano, Y., Sasafuchi, Y., Burrow, M.F., Tagami, J., Bond strengths to endodontically-treated teeth (1999) Am J Dent, 12, pp. 177-180Ishizuka, T., Kataoka, H., Yoshioka, T., Suda, H., Iwasaki, N., Takahashi, H., Effect of NaClO treatment on bonding to root canal dentin using a new evaluation method (2001) Dent Mater J, 20, pp. 24-33Ari, H., Yasar, E., Belli, S., Effects of NaOCl on bond strengths of resin cements to root canal dentin (2003) J Endod, 29, pp. 248-251Ozturk, B., Ozer, F., Effect of NaOCl on bond strengths of bonding agents to pulp chamber lateral walls (2004) J Endod, 30, pp. 362-365Erdemir, A., Ari, H., Gungunes, H., Belli, S., Effect of medications for root canal treatment on bonding to root canal dentin (2004) J Endod, 30, pp. 113-116Grigoratos, D., Knowles, J., Ng, Y.L., Gulabivala, K., Effect of exposing dentine to sodium hypochlorite and calcium hydroxide on its flexural strength and elastic modulus (2001) Int Endod J, 34, pp. 113-119Sim, T.P., Knowles, J.C., Ng, Y.L., Shelton, J., Gulabivala, K., Effect of sodium hypochlorite on mechanical properties of dentine and tooth surface strain Int Endod J 200, 34, pp. 120-132Saleh, A.A., Ettman, W.M., Effect of endodontic irrigation solutions on microhardness of root canal dentine (1999) J Dent, 27, pp. 43-46Perdigão, J., Denehy, G.E., Swift Jr., E.J., Effects of chlorhexidine on dentin surfaces and shear bond strengths (1994) Am J Dent, 7, pp. 81-84El-Housseiny, A.A., Jamjoum, H., The effect of caries detector dyes and a cavity cleansing agent on composite resin bonding to enamel and dentin (2000) J Clin Pediatr Dent, 25, pp. 57-63de Castro, F.L., de Andrade, M.F., Duarte Jr., S.L., Vaz, L.G., Ahid, F.J., Effect of 2% chlorhexidine on microtensile bond strength of composite to dentin (2003) J Adhes Dent, 5, pp. 129-138Santos, J.N., Carrilho, M.R., de Goes, M.F., Zaia, A.A., Gomes, B.P., Souza-Filho, F.J., Effect of chemical irrigants on the bond strength of a selfetching adhesive to pulp chamber dentin (2006) J Endod, 32, pp. 1088-1090Filler, S.J., Lazarchik, D.A., Givan, D.A., Retief, D.H., Heaven, T.J., Shear bond strengths of composite to chlorhexidine-treated enamel (1994) Am J Dent, 7, pp. 85-88Cunningham, M.P., Meiers, J.C., The effect of dentin disinfectants on shear bond strength of resin-modified glass-ionomer materials (1997) Quintessence Int, 28, pp. 545-551de Assis, D.F., Prado, M., Simao, R.A., Evaluation of the interaction between endodontic sealers and dentin treated with different irrigant solutions (2011) J Endod, 37, pp. 1550-1552Hashem, A.A., Ghoneim, A.G., Lutfy, R.A., Fouda, M.Y., The effect of different irrigating solutions on bond strength of two root canal-filling systems (2009) J Endod, 35, pp. 537-540Carrilho, M.R., Carvalho, R.M., de Goes, M.F., di Hipolito, V., Geraldeli, S., Tay, F.R., Chlorhexidine preserves dentin bond in vitro (2007) J Dent Res, 86, pp. 90-94Hebling, J., Pashley, D.H., Tjaderhane, L., Tay, F.R., Chlorhexidine arrests subclinical degradation of dentin hybrid layers in vivo (2005) J Dent Res, 84, pp. 741-746Itoh, T., Nakamura, H., Kishi, J., Hayakawa, T., The activation of matrix metalloproteinases by a whole-cell extract from Prevotella nigrescens (2009) J Endod, 35, pp. 55-59Malemud, C.J., Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in health and disease: An overview (2006) Front Biosci, 11, pp. 1696-1701Butler, W.T., Dentin extracellular matrix and dentinogenesis (1992) Oper Dent, 5, pp. 18-23Nakabayashi, N., Kojima, K., Masuhara, E., The promotion of adhesion by the infiltration of monomers into tooth substrates (1982) J Biomed Mater Res, 16, pp. 265-273Nakabayashi, N., The hybrid layer: A resin-dentin composite (1992) Proc Finn Dent Soc, 88 (SUPPL. 1), pp. 321-329Moreira, D.M., Almeida, J.F., Ferraz, C.C., Gomes, B.P., Line, S.R., Zaia, A.A., Structural analysis of bovine root dentin after use of different endodontics auxiliary chemical substances (2009) J Endod, 35, pp. 1023-1027Gendron, R., Grenier, D., Sorsa, T., Mayrand, D., Inhibition of the activities of matrix metalloproteinases 2, 8, and 9 by chlorhexidine (1999) Clin Diagn Lab Immunol, 6, pp. 437-439Wang, Y., Spencer, P., Hybridization efficiency of the adhesive/dentin interface in wet bonding (2003) J Dent Res, 82, pp. 141-145Santos, J., Carrilho, M., Tervahartiala, T., Sorsa, T., Breschi, L., Mazzoni, A., Determination of matrix metalloproteinases in human radicular dentin (2009) J Endod, 35, pp. 686-689Tronstad, L., Andreasen, J.O., Hasselgren, G., Kristerson, L., Riis, I., pH changes in dental tissues after root canal filling with calcium hydroxide (1981) J Endod, 7, pp. 17-21Torneck, C.D., Moe, H., Howley, T.P., The effect of calcium hydroxide on porcine pulp fibroblasts in vitro (1983) J Endod, 9, pp. 131-136Safavi, K.E., Nichols, F.C., Alteration of biological properties of bacterial lipopolysaccharide by calcium hydroxide treatment (1994) J Endod, 20, pp. 127-129Hasselgren, G., Olsson, B., Cvek, M., Effects of calcium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite on the dissolution of necrotic porcine muscle tissue (1988) J Endod, 14, pp. 125-127Molander, A., Reit, C., Dahlen, G., Kvist, T., Microbiological status of rootfilled teeth with apical periodontitis (1998) Int Endod J, 31, pp. 1-7Gomes, B.P., Lilley, J.D., Drucker, D.B., Variations in the susceptibility of components of the endodontic microflora to biomechanical procedures (1996) Int Endod J, 29, pp. 235-241Pinheiro, E.T., Gomes, B.P., Ferraz, C.C., Teixeira, F.B., Zaia, A.A., Souza, F.F.J., Evaluation of root canal microorganisms isolated from teeth with endodontic failure and their antimicrobial susceptibility (2003) Oral Microbiol Immunol, 18, pp. 100-103Basrani, B., Tjaderhane, L., Santos, J.M., Pascon, E., Grad, H., Lawrence, H.P., Efficacy of chlorhexidine- and calcium hydroxide-containing medicaments against Enterococcus faecalis in vitro (2003) Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod, 96, pp. 618-624Schäfer, E., Bössmann, K., Antimicrobial efficacy of chlorhexidine and two calcium hydroxide formulations against Enterococcus faecalis (2005) J Endod, 31, pp. 53-56Gomes, B.P., Montagner, F., Berber, V.B., Zaia, A.A., Ferraz, C.C., de Almeida, J.F., Antimicrobial action of intracanal medicaments on the external root surface (2009) J Dent, 37, pp. 76-81Lenet, B.J., Komorowski, R., Wu, X.Y., Huang, J., Grad, H., Lawrence, H.P., Antimicrobial substantivity of bovine root dentin exposed to different chlorhexidine delivery vehicles (2000) J Endod, 26, pp. 652-655Siren, E.K., Haapasalo, M.P.P., Waltimo, T.M.T., Orstavik, D., In vitro antibacterial effect of calcium hydroxide combined with chlorhexidine or iodine potassium iodide on Enterococcus faecalis (2004) Eur J Oral Sci, 112, pp. 326-231Zerella, J.A., Fouad, A.F., Spangberg, L.S., Effectiveness of a calcium hydroxide and chlorhexidine digluconate mixture as disinfectant during retreatment of failed endodontic cases (2005) Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod, 100, pp. 756-761Podbielski, A., Spahr, A., Haller, B., Additive antimicrobial activity of calcium hydroxide and chlorhexidine on common endodontic bacterial pathogens (2003) J Endod, 29, pp. 340-345Almyroudi, A., Mackenzie, D., McHugh, S., Saunders, W.P., The effectiveness of various disinfectants used as endodontic intracanal medications: An in vitro study (2002) J Endod, 28, pp. 163-167Cury, J.A., Rocha, E.P., Koo, H., Francisco, S.B., Del Bel, C.A.A., Effect of saccharin on antibacterial activity of chlorhexidine gel (2000) Braz Dent J, 11, pp. 29-34Yeung, S.Y., Huang, C.S., Chan, C.P., Lin, C.P., Lin, H.N., Lee, P.H., Antioxidant and pro-oxidant properties of chlorhexidine and its interaction with calcium hydroxide solutions (2007) Int Endod J, 40, pp. 837-844Barbin, L.E., Saquy, P.C., Guedes, D.F., Sousa-Neto, M.D., Estrela, C., Pecora, J.D., Determination of para-chloroaniline and reactive oxygen species in chlorhexidine and chlorhexidine associated with calcium hydroxide (2008) J Endod, 34, pp. 1508-1514Basrani, B., Ghanem, A., Tjaderhane, L., Physical and chemical properties of chlorhexidine and calcium hydroxide-containing medications (2004) J Endod, 30, pp. 413-417Beltes, P.G., Pissiotis, E., Koulaouzidou, E., Kortsaris, A.H., In vitro release of hydroxyl ions from six types of calcium hydroxide nonsetting pastes (1997) J Endod, 23, pp. 413-415Gomes, B.P., Berber, V.B., Montagner, F., Sena, N.T., Zaia, A.A., Ferraz, C.C., Residual effects and surface alterations in disinfected gutta-percha and Resilon cones (2007) J Endod, 33, pp. 948-951Valois, C.R.A., Silva, L.P., Azevedo, R.B., Effects of 2% chlorhexidine and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite on gutta-percha cones studied by atomic force microscopy (2005) Int Endod J, 38, pp. 425-429Prado, M., Gusman, H., Gomes, B.P., Simao, R.A., Effect of disinfectant solutions on gutta-percha and resilon cones (2012) Microsc Res Tech, 75, pp. 791-795Prado, M., Gusman, H., Gomes, B.P.F.A., Simao, R.A., The importance of final rinse after disinfection of gutta-percha and Resilon cones (2011) Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod, 111, pp. e21-e24Prado, M., de Assis, D.F., Gomes, B.P., Simão, R.A., Effect of disinfectant solutions on the surface free energy and wettability of filling material (2011) J Endod, 37, pp. 980-982Kennedy, G.D.C., McLundie, A.C., Day, R.M., Calcium hydroxide, its role in a simplified endodontic technique (1967) Dent Mag Oral Top, 84, pp. 51-57Atkinson, A.M., Hampson, E.L., Sterilization of root canals (1964) Br Dent J, 116, pp. 526-532Trevino, E.G., Patwardhan, A.N., Henry, M.A., Perry, G., Dybdal-Hargreaves, N., Hargreaves, K.M., Effect of irrigants on the survival of human stem cells of the apical papilla in a platelet-rich plasma scaffold in human root tips (2011) J Endod, 37, pp. 1109-1115Lee, T.H., Hu, C.C., Lee, S.S., Chou, M.Y., Chang, Y.C., Cytotoxicity of chlorhexidine on human osteoblastic cells is related to intracellular glutathione levels (2010) Int Endod J, 43, pp. 430-435Navarro-Escobar, E., González-Rodríguez, M.P., Ferrer-Luque, C.M., Cytotoxic effects of two acid solutions and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite used in endodontic therapy (2010) Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal, 15, pp. e90-e94Nakonechna, A., Dore, P., Dixon, T., Khan, S., Deacock, S., Holding, S., Immediate hypersensitivity to chlorhexidine is increasingly recognised in the United Kingdom Allergol Immunopathol, , Epub ahead of print. DOI: 10.1016/j.aller.2012.08.001Sanchez, I.R., Nusbaum, K.E., Swaim, S.F., Hale, A.S., Henderson, R.A., McGuire, J.A., Chlorhexidine diacetate and povidone-iodine cytotoxicity to canine embryonic fibroblasts and Staphylococcus aureus (1988) Vet Surg, 17, pp. 182-185Li, Y.C., Kuan, Y.H., Lee, S.S., Huang, F.M., Chang, Y.C., Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of chlorhexidine on macrophages in vitro (2012) Environ Toxicol, , Apr 4. doi: 10.1002/tox.21771. [Epub ahead of print. DOI: 10.1002/ tox.21771]Giannelli, M., Chellini, F., Margheri, M., Tonelli, P., Tani, A., Effect of chlorhexidine digluconate on different cell types: A molecular and ultrastructural investigation (2008) Toxicol In Vitro, 22, pp. 308-317Pucher, J.J., Daniel, J.C., The effects of chlorhexidine digluconate on human fibroblasts in vitro (1992) J Periodontol, 63, pp. 526-532Chang, Y.C., Huang, F.M., Tai, K.W., Chou, M.Y., The effect of sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine on cultured human periodontal ligament cells (2001) Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod, 92, pp. 446-450Cabral, C.T., Fernandes, M.H., In vitro comparison of chlorhexidine and povidone-iodine on the long-term proliferation and functional activity of human alveolar bone cells (2007) Clin Oral Investig, 11, pp. 155-164Lee, T.H., Hu, C.C., Lee, S.S., Chou, M.Y., Chang, Y.C., Cytotoxicity of chlorhexidine on human osteoblastic cells is related to intracellular glutathione levels (2010) Int Endod J, 43, pp. 430-435Ribeiro, D.A., Scolastici, C., de Almeida, P.L.A., Marques, P.L.A., Marques, M.E.A., Salvadori, M.F., Genotoxicity of antimicrobial endodontic compounds by single cell gel (comet) assay in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells (2005) Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod, 99, pp. 637-640Babich, H., Wurzburger, B.J., Rubin, Y.L., Sinensky, M.C., Blau, L., An in vitro study on the cytotoxicity of chlorhexidine digluconate to human gingival cells (1995) Cell Biol Toxicol, 11, pp. 79-88Rushton, A., Safety of Hibitane. II. Human experience (1977) J Clin Periodontol, 4, pp. 73-79