Antimicrobial Activity and Physicochemical Properties of Calcium Hydroxide Pastes Used as Intracanal Medication.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the pH, calcium release, solubility, and antimicrobial action against biofilms of calcium hydroxide + saline solution, Calen (SS White Artigos Dentários Ltd, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) (CH/P), Calen camphorated paramonochlorophenol (CMCP) (CH/CMPC), and calcium hydroxide + chlorhexidine (CH/CHX) pastes.

METHODS

The pH of the pastes was determined with a calibrated pH meter placed in direct contact with each paste. The root canals of acrylic teeth (N = 10) were filled with the previously mentioned intracanal dressings and immersed in ultrapure water to measure hydroxyl (pH meter) and calcium ion release (atomic absorption spectrophotometer) at time intervals of 3, 7, 15, and 30 days. To assess solubility, the root canals of acrylic teeth (N = 10) were filled with the previously mentioned pastes and scanned by micro-computed tomographic imaging before (initial) and after 7, 15, and 30 days of immersion in ultrapure water. The solubility of each specimen was the difference between the initial and final volume scanning. For antimicrobial analysis, monospecies and dual-species biofilms were in vitro induced on dentin blocks (N = 20). Afterward, they were treated with the pastes for 7 days. Live/dead dye and a confocal microscope were used to measure the percentage of living cells. Data were statistically compared (P < .05).

RESULTS

The highest OH ion release values were found in 3 and 30 days. Ca releases were greater in CH/CMCP. CH/P and CH/CMCP showed a higher percentage of volume loss values. CH/CHX presented the greatest antimicrobial action.

CONCLUSIONS

CH/P and CH/CMPC showed higher solubility values in the period analyzed. Seven days of contact may be insufficient for calcium hydroxide + saline solution, CH/P, and CH/CMCP pastes to kill bacterial cells in the biofilms studied. Chlorhexidine added to CH favored greater effectiveness against the previously mentioned bacterial biofilms.