title: Evaluation of decalcifying effect of maleic acid and EDTA on root canal dentin using energy dispersive spectrometer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate mineral contents of root canal dentin after treatment with 7% maleic acid (MA) or 17% EDTA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty pieces of teeth were divided into 3 groups: 1) 17% EDTA; 2) 7% MA; and 3) saline. All specimens were treated for 0, 1, 5, 10, 15 minutes. Levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, sulfur, and oxygen were measured using energy dispersive spectrometer. Data were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance. Tukey honest significant difference and Bonferroni test were used for comparison between the groups and time periods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MA reduced maximum amount of calcium and phosphorus at all time intervals, but was significant only up to 5 minutes (P < .001). Oxygen, sulfur, and magnesium were decreased more with saline and least with MA (P < .001). Sodium was decreased more with MA and least with EDTA (P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MA decalcifies the root dentin, with most calcium and phosphorus extracted during the first 5 minutes, compared with EDTA.
authors.affiliation: Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University, Karnataka, India. vasudev.ballal@gmail.com
authors.forename: Nidambur Vasudev
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Ballal
authors.forename: Kundabala
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mala
authors.forename: Kadengodlu Seetharama
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Bhat
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000187:drug effects*; D003804:Dentin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000032:analysis; D008298:Maleates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D013455:Sulfur / Q000032:analysis; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002614:Chelating Agents; D008298:Maleates; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D010758:Phosphorus; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013455:Sulfur; C030272:maleic acid; D004492:Edetic Acid; D012964:Sodium; D008274:Magnesium; D010100:Oxygen; D002118:Calcium