Evaluating the Effect of Different Methods of Preparing Calcium Hydroxide on Microbial Leakage in the Teeth Root Canals

Intracanal usage of calcium hydroxide is considered as a common method for preventing microleakage. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of four different calcium hydroxide preparations in preventing coronal-apical microleakage.

In this experimental  study, 70 extracted human single root canal teeth were collected. After root canal instrumentation, the teeth were divided into four  experimental groups (n=15) and two groups of positive control and negative control (n=5). The root canals were filled with creamy mixture of Calcium hydroxide via different vehicles (Normal saline, Lidocaine, Glycerin, Chlorhexidine). Five teeth were left empty to serve as the positive control group, whereas the negative control group comprised of five teeth filled with guttapercha and sealer, which their canal orifice was sealed with wax. In order to evaluate the microleakage, the samples were placed inside the designed apparatus. After being exposed to Enterococcus faecalis suspension, the samples were evaluated in regard with leakage and turbidity in the lower compartment. The statistical analysis of the recorded data was performed using SPSS16 via ANOVA and t-test.

The results of the present study revealed that microleakage reduced significantly in the calcium hydroxide group via chlorhxidine (P<0.001). Moreover, no significant differences were observed between the other groups.

Considering the amount of microleakage found in the calcium hydroxide group via chlorhexidine compared to other groups, its usage could be recommended for reducing leakage as an interappointment temporary filling material. Furthermore, conducting more studies with different calcium hydroxide preparations is suggested.