Effect of calcium hydroxide and chlorhexidine based gutta-percha points on gingival fibroblasts and epithelial tumor cells.

AIMS AND METHODS

The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the possible effect of different endodontic calcium hydroxide and chlorhexidine-based gutta-percha points, on two different human cell culture systems. Two different calcium hydroxide (Roeko, Langenau, Germany) and one chlorhexidine (Activ Point/Roeko, Langenau, Germany) gutta-percha points were tested with gingival fibroblasts and epithelial tumor cells over a period of six days (n = 12). Conventional gutta-percha points (VDW, Munich, Germany) and cells that were not exposed to any substances served as controls (n = 12). Study parameters included cell vitality, cell count, protein synthesis and cell proliferation.

RESULTS

All tested materials induced cell growth specific alterations. Chlorhexidine-based gutta-percha points showed a significant lower protein synthesis with both, gingival fibroblasts (0.013 +/- 0.009 mg/ml) and epithelial tumor cells (0.07 +/- 0.039 mg/ml), when compared with the controls (p > 0.05). Protein synthesis increase of the epithelial tumor cells (0.581 +/- 0.013 mg/ml, control) was observed with the conventional gutta-percha points (0.688 +/- 0.078 mg/ml) and with both gutta-percha points containing different calcium hydroxide-based formulations (0.776 +/- 0.115 and 0.7 +/- 0.047 mg/ ml).

CONCLUSIONS

Under the conditions of this study, chlorhexidine containing gutta-percha points showed the highest effect on cell growth inhibition. No significant differences were observed between the tested material and the two different cell culture types.