title: Decalcifying effects of antimicrobial irrigating solutions on root canal dentin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the decalcifying efficacy of 7% maleic acid (MA), 2% chlorhexidine (CHX), and combinations of 7% MA + 0.2% cetrimide (CTR) and 2% CHX + 0.2% CTR, in four time periods.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four specimens per tooth were obtained from a 2-mm thick slice of the cervical third of the root of ten human incisors. At 1, 2, 3 and 5 minutes of immersion, the concentrations of Ca2+ were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant differences were seen for the extracted calcium in all time periods. The amount of calcium extracted by 7% MA was the highest at all four immersion times, followed by 7% MA + 0.2% CTR. Two percent CHX and its combination with 0.2% CTR extracted virtually no calcium.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The decalcifying capacity of 7% MA and 2% CHX diminished when combined with 0.2% CTR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, School of Dentistry, Campus de Cartuja, Colegio Máximo s/n, E-18071, Granada, Spain. cferrer@ugr.es
authors.forename: Carmen-María
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Ferrer-Luque
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perez-Heredia
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Baca
authors.forename: María-Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Arias-Moliz
authors.forename: María-Paloma
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: González-Rodríguez
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077286:Cetrimonium; D002593:Cetrimonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003804:Dentin / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008298:Maleates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002593:Cetrimonium Compounds; D008298:Maleates; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; C030272:maleic acid; D002710:Chlorhexidine; D000077286:Cetrimonium