title: Low surface tension calcium hydroxide solution is an effective antiseptic.
abstract: The antimicrobial effects of a saturated calcium hydroxide solution, and in combination with 10% and 20% detergent, were evaluated on Streptococcus faecalis, Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus salivarius, Neisseria sp., diphtheroid, Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus sp., Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans. The saturated calcium hydroxide solution was effective against only four of the 11 microorganisms studied over a 60-min exposure time. The calcium hydroxide solutions containing detergent killed all 11 test organisms over a 30-min exposure time. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). No statistically significant difference in antimicrobial action was found between the 10% and 20% detergent calcium hydroxide solutions (P > 0.01). However, the low surface tension (46.5 x 10(-3) Nm-1) and high pH (10.8) of the calcium hydroxide solution with 20% detergent establish it as the more effective solution.
authors: Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06032.
authors: S V
authors: SV
authors: Barbosa
authors: L S
authors: LS
authors: Spangberg
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Almeida
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000187:drug effects; D001420:Bacteria, Aerobic / Q000187:drug effects*; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000382:microbiology; D003902:Detergents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009343:Neisseria / Q000187:drug effects; D011424:Propionibacterium / Q000187:drug effects; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000187:drug effects; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000187:drug effects; D013500:Surface Tension; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D003902:Detergents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide