Scanning Electron Microscopy Analysis of the Intratubular Radicular Dentin Penetration of Calcium Hydroxide, Triple Antibiotic Paste, and Nitrofurantoin

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess and analyze the intratubular penetration of the intracanal medications nitrofurantoin (Nit), triple antibiotic paste (TAP), and calcium hydroxide (CH). Sixty freshly extracted single-rooted teeth were acquired and decoronated to a standard length of 15 mm. To prepare specimens up to size F3, rotary ProTaper instrumentation was employed. The prepared teeth were divided into three groups, each of which received one of the tested intracanal medicaments: Group I (calcium hydroxide), Group II (triple antibiotic paste), and Group III (nitrofurantoin). Using a size #30 Lentulo spiral, a freshly prepared therapeutic paste was placed into the canals, and the intracanal medicaments were allowed to set in the incubator at 100% humidity. The samples were subsequently sliced perpendicularly to their long axis using a precision saw and assessed under a scanning electron microscope to assess the depth of penetration of intracanal medicaments at the coronal, middle, and apical portions of the root canal dentin. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test. The statistical analysis revealed a significant difference between the experimental groups in the quantity and depth of sealer penetration (p < 0.05). In particular, as compared to the Nit group, both the CH and TAP groups had significantly smaller penetration areas (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this ongoing investigation indicates that nitrofurantoin penetrated dentinal tubules better than calcium hydroxide or triple antibiotic paste.

Assessing Cell Viability: Comparative Analysis of Calcium Hydroxide, Triple Antibiotic Paste, and Their Synergistic Impact on human Dental Pulp Stem Cells

“…This mechanism increases the pH in the dentinal tubules, thus allowing the elimination of bacteria. 17 20 21…”

“…TAP can diffuse into the dentinal tubules as far as 350 µm. 17 The combination of Ca(OH) 2 and TAP has a better antibacterial effect when used together compared with when used alone. This may be due to the combined effectiveness of the two medicament.…”

“…This enhanced efficacy may be attributed to the presence of minocycline in TAP, which is an effective antibiotic against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, thereby increasing the effectiveness of Ca(OH) 2 . 16 17…”