The alkalizing properties of calcium hydroxide compounds

Calcium hydroxide compounds are available in various forms, such as in aqueous suspensions or as cements, liners, pastes or filled resins. When such compounds are exposed to water, the calcium hydroxide dissociates and the pH value shifts to the basic. In this study the compounds Pulpdent, Dycal, Hydroxyline, Gangraena Merz and Prisma VLC-Dycal were subjected to analysis, including quantitative measurement of the amount and the chronological course of ion release following exposure to water, qualitative analysis of the alkalizing effects at the dentin surface and examination of antimicrobial properties. The results showed that calcium hydroxide compounds differed greatly. The strongest degree of ion release, combined with definite antimicrobial properties, was found for the aqueous calcium hydroxide suspension (Pulpdent). The cement (Dycal) demonstrated significantly weaker activity. The liner and the paste (Hydroxyline and Gangraena Merz), as well as the calcium hydroxide filled resin (Prisma VLC-Dycal), were largely lacking in both ion release and antimicrobial properties under the experimental conditions.