title: Decalcifying capability of irrigating solutions on root canal dentin mineral content.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chelating agents are believed to aid root canal irrigation and to be able to remove the inorganic smear layer.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present study was to evaluate and to compare the decalcifying capability of different irrigating solutions (Tubuliclean, Largal Ultra, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid 17%, Tetraclean, Tetraclean NA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty maxillary central incisors were used. Root canals were instrumented and irrigated. From each root, four comparable slices of cervical dentin were obtained. At three successive 5-min interval immersion times, the concentration of calcium extracted from root canal dentin was assessed with an inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were analyzed by means of Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. Significance was predetermined at P < 0.05.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For all irrigating solutions, the maximum amount of Ca(2+) extracted from root canal dentin samples was reached after 10 min contact time except for citric acid-based agents (Tetraclean and Tetraclean NA) which induced a higher and still increasing calcium release even after 10 min contact time. In order to obtain an efficient decalcifying action on dentin and to facilitate the biomechanical procedures, citric acid-based irrigants can be applied.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, Section of Dentistry, University of Pavia, Pavia, India.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Poggio
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, Section of Dentistry, University of Pavia, Pavia, India.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dagna
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, Section of Dentistry, University of Pavia, Pavia, India.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vinci
authors.affiliation: Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, Section of Statistics, University of Pavia, Pavia, India.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beltrami
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, Pavia, India.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cucca
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, Crotone, India.
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giardino
keywords: Ca2+; Tetraclean NA; ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; irrigating solutions; root canal dentin