Calcium ion diffusion from calcium hydroxide‐containing materials in endodontically‐treated teeth: An in vitro study

Abstract

The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the amount and duration of diffusion of calcium ions from both a calcium hydroxide-containing root canal sealer and an intracanal medicament, through the apical foramen and the dentinal tubules of endodontically-treated teeth. The root canals of 88 freshly extracted single-rooted teeth were prepared using the modified double flared, balanced force technique with patency filing. The teeth were divided into four test groups of 20 teeth each and a control group of eight teeth. One group was dressed with a non-setting calcium hydroxide while the other was obturated using cold lateral condensation of gutta-percha with a calcium hydroxide-containing sealer. An artificial root defect was created in the apical third of the root of the teeth in the other two groups and the root canals were either dressed or obturated in the same way as the first two groups. All groups were incubated at 37 degrees C and were sampled for calcium diffusion after 1, 2 and 3 days and 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 weeks. There was statistically significantly more calcium diffusion with the non-setting groups compared with the sealer groups (P < 0.05). There was more calcium ion diffusion from teeth with a patent apical foramen than those with an artificial resorptive root defect (P < 0.05).

The use of calcium hydroxide, antibiotics and biocides as antimicrobial medicaments in endodontics

“…The rate of diffusion of hydroxyl ions is slow due to the inherent buffering capacity of the dentine. 12,41,44 Availability of calcium ions at the site of action appears to be useful for exerting therapeutic effects which are mediated through ion channels. The role of calcium ions in cell stimulation, migration, proliferation and mineralization is well established.…”

“…The role of calcium ions in cell stimulation, migration, proliferation and mineralization is well established. 44 Calcium hydroxide also inactivates LPS and in so doing can assist periapical tissue repair. 33 The lethal effects of calcium hydroxide are due to several mechanisms, 12,41 namely: (a) a chemical action through:…”

Antimicrobial Activity of Calcium Hydroxide in Endodontics: A Review

“…Its main actions result from the ionic dissociation of the Ca 2+ and OH-ions and their effect on vital tissues, such as inducing hard tissue deposition and being antibacterial 2. Ca(OH) 2 dissociates into calcium and hydroxyl ions on contact with aqueous fluids 4. Ca(OH) 2 in water has a thixotropic behavior, which means that it will be very fluid when agitated 3.…”

A laboratory study evaluating the release of hydroxyl ions from various calcium hydroxide products in narrow root canal‐like tubes

“…Generally, the purer the salt the more freely will the hydroxyl ions be released and the more powerful the product may be ( Staehle et al . 1989 , Safavi & Perry 1995, Rehman et al . 1996 , Spångberg 1998).…”