Tissue-dissolution capacity and dentin-disinfecting potential of calcium hydroxide mixed with irrigating solutions.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to compare the tissue-dissolution potential and antibacterial effectiveness of a conventional Ca(OH)(2)/saline paste with equivalent Ca(OH)(2)/NaOCl and Ca(OH)(2)/chlorhexidine digluconate medications.


METHODS
Tissue specimens were obtained from freshly dissected pig palates. Tissue pieces of similar form and weight were incubated in air-tight containers with Ca(OH)(2) pastes or solutions proper for up to 7 days. Antimicrobial testing was performed in dentin blocks infected with Enterococcus faecalis. Medicated, sealed dentin specimens were incubated for 1 and 5 days, and bacterial growth was tested at different dentin depths.


RESULTS
Up to day 4, the Ca(OH)(2)/irrigating solution mixtures dissolved tissue more effectively than the conventional Ca(OH)(2)/saline paste. After 7 days, however, no statistically significant differences were found between the saline and hypochlorite mixtures, but the Ca(OH)(2)/chlorhexidine medication was significantly less effective. Dentin block disinfection was quicker and more thorough with the Ca(OH)(2)/chlorhexidine or the Ca(OH)(2)/NaOCl than with the Ca(OH)(2)/saline paste.


CONCLUSIONS
Ca(OH)(2)/irrigant mixtures under investigation appear more advantageous than the conventional Ca(OH)(2)/saline mixture, and merit further investigation in a clinical study.
Zehnder
Matthias
M
University of Zürich, University of Zürich Center for Dental Medicine, Division of Preventive Dentistry, Cariology and Periodontology, Zürich, Switzerland. zehnder@zzmk.unizh.ch
Grawehr
Matthias
M
Hasselgren
Gunnar
G
Waltimo
Tuomas
T
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003804:Dentin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology; D003808:Dentin Solubility / Q000187:drug effects; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects; D009824:Ointments; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000187:drug effects; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D012997:Solvents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors
D004202:Disinfectants; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009824:Ointments; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D012997:Solvents; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide; D002710:Chlorhexidine