Related Experiment Videos
Tissue-dissolution capacity and dentin-disinfecting potential of calcium hydroxide mixed with irrigating solutions
Matthias Zehnder1, Matthias Grawehr, Gunnar Hasselgren
1University of Zürich, University of Zürich Center for Dental Medicine, Division of Preventive Dentistry, Cariology and Periodontology, Zürich, Switzerland. zehnder@zzmk.unizh.ch
Objective:
The goal of this study was to compare the tissue-dissolution potential and antibacterial effectiveness of a conventional Ca(OH)(2)/saline paste with equivalent Ca(OH)(2)/NaOCl and Ca(OH)(2)/chlorhexidine digluconate medications.
Study Design:
Tissue specimens were obtained from freshly dissected pig palates. Tissue pieces of similar form and weight were incubated in air-tight containers with Ca(OH)(2) pastes or solutions proper for up to 7 days. Antimicrobial testing was performed in dentin blocks infected with Enterococcus faecalis. Medicated, sealed dentin specimens were incubated for 1 and 5 days, and bacterial growth was tested at different dentin depths.
Results:
Up to day 4, the Ca(OH)(2)/irrigating solution mixtures dissolved tissue more effectively than the conventional Ca(OH)(2)/saline paste. After 7 days, however, no statistically significant differences were found between the saline and hypochlorite mixtures, but the Ca(OH)(2)/chlorhexidine medication was significantly less effective. Dentin block disinfection was quicker and more thorough with the Ca(OH)(2)/chlorhexidine or the Ca(OH)(2)/NaOCl than with the Ca(OH)(2)/saline paste.
Conclusion:
Ca(OH)(2)/irrigant mixtures under investigation appear more advantageous than the conventional Ca(OH)(2)/saline mixture, and merit further investigation in a clinical study.