Influence of Temperature and Flow Rate on the Efficacy of Sodium Hypochlorite in Root Canal Disinfection: A Computational Fluid Dynamics Approach

Abstract

The efficiency of root canal disinfection largely depends on the physicochemical behavior of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) during irrigation. This study aimed to investigate the influence of temperature and flow rate on the efficacy of NaOCl using a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach. A three-dimensional model of a human root canal was developed to simulate irrigant flow under varying temperature (25°C–60°C) and flow rate conditions (1–6 mL/min). CFD analysis was used to evaluate velocity distribution, wall shear stress, and irrigant replacement within the canal system. The results demonstrated that elevating the temperature of NaOCl enhanced its chemical reactivity and improved penetration into apical regions, while higher flow rates increased shear stress and facilitated more effective debris and biofilm removal. The combination of increased temperature and optimized flow rate resulted in superior fluid exchange and enhanced disinfection efficiency. These findings suggest that CFD can effectively predict irrigant behavior under dynamic conditions, allowing clinicians to optimize irrigation protocols for improved clinical outcomes.