Objective: The goal of this study was to compare the tissue-dissolution potential and antibacterial effectiveness of a conventional Ca(OH)(2)/saline paste with equivalent Ca(OH)(2)/NaOCl and Ca(OH)(2)/chlorhexidine digluconate medications.
Study design: Tissue specimens were obtained from freshly dissected pig palates. Tissue pieces of similar form and weight were incubated in air-tight containers with Ca(OH)(2) pastes or solutions proper for up to 7 days. Antimicrobial testing was performed in dentin blocks infected with Enterococcus faecalis. Medicated, sealed dentin specimens were incubated for 1 and 5 days, and bacterial growth was tested at different dentin depths.
Results: Up to day 4, the Ca(OH)(2)/irrigating solution mixtures dissolved tissue more effectively than the conventional Ca(OH)(2)/saline paste. After 7 days, however, no statistically significant differences were found between the saline and hypochlorite mixtures, but the Ca(OH)(2)/chlorhexidine medication was significantly less effective. Dentin block disinfection was quicker and more thorough with the Ca(OH)(2)/chlorhexidine or the Ca(OH)(2)/NaOCl than with the Ca(OH)(2)/saline paste.
Conclusion: Ca(OH)(2)/irrigant mixtures under investigation appear more advantageous than the conventional Ca(OH)(2)/saline mixture, and merit further investigation in a clinical study.