Resin penetration in artificial enamel carious lesions after using sodium hypochlorite as a deproteinization agent

To study the degree of penetration of an adhesive resin in artificial enamel carious lesions after using sodium hypochlorite as deproteinization agent.

Twenty included human third-molars, extracted for surgical indication, were used. Artificial lesions were created in the buccal and lingual sides of each specimen through a cycle of demineralization-remineralization. Samples were then incubated in human saliva for 7 days at 37 ° C. After surface cleaning, lesions and the peripheral sound enamel were etched with 37% orthophosphoric acid for 20 seconds. One lesion of each specimen was treated with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) for one minute. The other lesion of each specimen was used as a control. Experimental and control lesions were sealed with a fluid resin marked with Rhodamine B. Lesions were sectioned for microscopic observation by epifluorescence and polarized light. The images obtained were analyzed morphometrically. The micrometer measurements were made with ImageJ ® software. The level of significance was assessed at p<0.05.

The average sealant depth penetration in the control group was 94.9 ± 28.6 μm versus 122.8 ± 25.3 μm in the experimental group. This represents Δ 20.1% significantly greater penetration when using sodium hypochlorite (p<0.001).

The results demonstrated a significant penetration of the sealing resin when the conventional technique is complemented with the application of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite for one minute in artificial enamel carious lesions.