Effect of Calcium Hydroxide as a Root Canal Dressing Material on Dentin Fracture Strength In Primary Teeth- In Vitro Study.

OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of calcium hydroxide as a root canal dressing material on dentin microtensile fracture strength in human primary teeth in vitro. STUDY DESIGN Thirty primary anterior teeth with root canals packed with calcium hydroxide were divided into groups of ten and immersed in saline at room temperature for 7, 30 and 90 days. Ten teeth with root canals filled with sterile saline were the control group. Microtensile fracture strength was measured in Mechanical tester Lloyd testing machine. RESULTS There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the fracture strength of the calcium hydroxide-filled teeth after 90 days (19.1 MPa) compared with the control (35.8 MPa). Dentin microtensile fracture strength of the calcium hydroxide-filled teeth decreased at an average of 0.142 MPa per day. CONCLUSION Calcium hydroxide placed in root canals for an extended time had a significantly negative effect on root strength. Long-term success of root canal treatment in primary anterior teeth is estimated as 65% with most of the failures result from trauma recurrence. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Our results stress the need to evaluate the pros and cons of root canal treatment compared to extractions of non-vital primary incisors.

[1]  Jung-Wei Chen,et al.  Materials for primary tooth pulp treatment: the present and the future , 2010 .

[2]  K. Ramar,et al.  Clinical and radiographic evaluation of pulpectomies using three root canal filling materials: an in-vivo study. , 2010, Journal of the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry.

[3]  J. Coll,et al.  A survey of primary tooth pulp therapy as taught in US dental schools and practiced by diplomates of the American Board Of Pediatric Dentistry. , 2008, Pediatric dentistry.

[4]  Brett Rosenberg,et al.  The effect of calcium hydroxide root filling on dentin fracture strength. , 2007, Dental traumatology : official publication of International Association for Dental Traumatology.

[5]  M. Mortazavi,et al.  Comparison of zinc oxide and eugenol, and Vitapex for root canal treatment of necrotic primary teeth. , 2004, International journal of paediatric dentistry.

[6]  J. Siqueira,et al.  Mechanisms of antimicrobial activity of calcium hydroxide: a critical review. , 1999, International endodontic journal.

[7]  G. Roberts,et al.  Use of calcium hydroxide for apical barrier formation and healing in non-vital immature permanent teeth: a review , 1997, British Dental Journal.

[8]  Primosch Re,et al.  Primary tooth pulp therapy as taught in predoctoral pediatric dental programs in the United States. , 1997 .

[9]  J. Coll,et al.  Predicting pulpectomy success and its relationship to exfoliation and succedaneous dentition. , 1996, Pediatric dentistry.

[10]  J. Coll,et al.  A long-term followup on the retention rate of zinc oxide eugenol filler after primary tooth pulpectomy. , 1993, Pediatric dentistry.

[11]  P. Foreman,et al.  Review of calcium hydroxide. , 1990, International endodontic journal.