title: Root canal dentinal tubule disinfection.
abstract: Dentinal tubules of the root canal walls of human teeth were infected in vitro with a known bacterial isolate. The roots were exposed to either calcium hydroxide or iodine potassium-iodide for various periods of time and the viability of microorganisms was determined by incubation of entire root samples in a culture medium. The effects of the two agents on microbial viability were evaluated and compared. Iodine potassium-iodide disinfected dentin effectively. In contrast, bacteria remained viable in the dentin after relatively extended periods of calcium hydroxide treatment.
authors.affiliation: University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington.
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Safavi
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Spangberg
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Langeland
mesh_terms: D002126:Calcium Hydroxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003804:Dentin / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D011193:Potassium Iodide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D011193:Potassium Iodide; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide