A phosphate-buffered saline intracanal dressing improves the biomineralization ability of mineral trioxide aggregate apical plugs.
BACKGROUND
Recently, it was shown that the biomineralization process promoted by the interaction of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) with dentin in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) positively influenced the push-out bond strength of the cement. This study investigated if the use of a PBS intracanal dressing promotes the biomineralization process of MTA apical plugs using an ex vivo apexification model.


METHODS
White MTA was introduced into single-rooted teeth with standardized artificially created open apices to form 5-mm-thick apical plugs. The specimens were randomly divided into the following three groups of 10 samples each: group 1: the remaining canal space was filled with PBS as an intracanal dressing; group 2: the root segments were introduced in plastic vials containing floral foams with 20 mL of PBS; and group 3: the root segments were placed in the floral foams with 20 mL of PBS and a PBS intracanal dressing was used. After 2 months, the samples were processed for scanning electron microscopic observations. Data were analyzed by using the Kruskall-Wallis test.


RESULTS
In group 1, the formation of an interfacial layer (IL) with intratubular mineralization (ITM) was more evident at the cervical third; however, no mineralization was revealed at the apical third. In group 2, there was no IL and/or ITM formation at the cervical third, but samples denoted IL and ITM formation at the apical third. Group 3 displayed the formation of IL and ITM at the different levels.


CONCLUSIONS
It was concluded that the use of a PBS intracanal dressing promotes the biomineralization process at the inner side of MTA apical plugs.
Reyes-Carmona
Jessie F
JF
Postgraduate Dentistry Program, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. jessreyesc@hotmail.com
Felippe
Mara S
MS
Felippe
Wilson T
WT
D017607:Aluminum Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001031:Apatites / Q000378:metabolism; D056624:Apexification / Q000379:methods; D002021:Buffers; D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003804:Dentin / Q000187:drug effects; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D010087:Oxides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010710:Phosphates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017640:Silicates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D014089:Tooth Remineralization
D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D001031:Apatites; D002021:Buffers; D017610:Calcium Compounds; D004338:Drug Combinations; D010087:Oxides; D010710:Phosphates; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D017640:Silicates; C086631:mineral trioxide aggregate; D012965:Sodium Chloride