Studies on dressing for dental surgery use. Part 2. Influence of Kunitz' protease inhibitor on properties of dental gelatinous dressings.

To increase resistance of gelatinous dressings to the etching action of trypsin in vitro, the Kunitz' protease inhibitor has been added. It has been found that the etching rate of the dressings was reduced in proportion to the inhibitor added. Addition of plasticizers in the presence of an inhibitor reduces the etching rate of the dressings and the effect depends on the type and concentration of the plasticizer added. Thermally sterilized dressings have an average of 10% less resistance to the etching action of trypsin. The liberation of the inhibitor from the dressings follows first order kinetics, whereas its liberation rate depends upon the type of the plasticizer used.