Effect of cleansers and irrigation methods on primary root dentin permeability.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of cleansers and irrigation methods on the permeability index (PI) in primary root dentin.

METHODS

One hundred twelve teeth were extracted and sectioned transversely, discarding their crowns. Then, the roots were distributed according to the cleansers: (1) Dakin (D); (2) Dakin+hydrogen peroxide (DHP); (3) 2% chlorhexidine gel (C); and (4) saline (S). The canals were manually instrumented. Irrigation was performed manually (MI) or ultrasonically (UI). The roots were: (1) made impermeable; (2) filled with 2% methylene blue solution; and (3) longitudinally sectioned. The halves were marked in thirds (cervical, middle, and apical), and the areas of dye penetration were measured. PI data were submitted to factorial analysis of variance and Tukey tests (P<.05).

RESULTS

A significant effect of MI/UI, in association with cleansers, was seen on PI. For all thirds, the PI of MI was superior to UI. In the cervical third, MI achieved a high PI when associated with D, DHP, and S. UI associated with S and C produced the highest PI. In the middle third, MI associated with D and DHP produced the highest PI. In the apical third, MI associated with D demonstrated the highest PI. None of the UI and cleanser associations induced differences in PI for the middle and apical thirds.

CONCLUSION

MI produced better results than the UI. The D, DHP, and S cleansers demonstrated the highest PIs, suggesting that the combination of MI and these cleansers is recommended for primary teeth to maintain dentin permeability.