Effects of fruit vinegars on root dentin microhardness and roughness

Area of Science:

• Endodontics
• Dental Materials Science

Background:

• Root canal irrigation is crucial for disinfection and debris removal.
• Conventional irrigants like sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) have known effects on dentin properties.
• Novel irrigants are being explored to improve endodontic treatment outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effects of pomegranate, apple cider, and grape vinegars against traditional irrigants (NaOCl, chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX), octenidine-hydrochloride (OCT)) on dentin microhardness and surface roughness.
• To evaluate the influence of irrigation duration (15 min vs. 30 min) on these properties.

Main Methods:

• An in vitro study using 105 human mandibular incisor teeth.
• Roots were sectioned, embedded, and ground flat.
• Specimens were treated with pomegranate vinegar, apple cider vinegar, grape vinegar, 2.5% NaOCl, 2% CHX, or OCT for 15 or 30 minutes.
• Surface roughness and Vickers microhardness were measured.

Main Results:

• Vinegar irrigants (pomegranate, apple cider, grape) resulted in significantly higher surface roughness compared to other groups.
• No significant differences in microhardness were observed among the irrigant groups.
• Increased exposure time from 15 to 30 minutes led to a significant decrease in dentin microhardness.

Conclusions:

• Vinegar-based irrigants may increase dentin surface roughness.
• Prolonged exposure to vinegar irrigants may soften root canal dentin.
• The findings suggest potential alterations in dentin properties with vinegar use in endodontics.