Effect of calcium hydroxide premedication on the marginal adaptation of calcium-enriched mixture cement apical plug

Abstract

Background: This study was to evaluate the effects of calcium hydroxide premedication on the marginal adaptation of the calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement as an apical plug.

Materials and methods: In this in vitro study, forty single rooted teeth were prepared and apical portion of the roots were immersed in sulfuric acid to produce open apices. The teeth were divided into 2 experimental groups. In medicated group, calcium hydroxide was placed in all canals for 1 week and in non-medicated group no dressing was used. Then, a 4-mm apical plug of CEM cement was placed in canals; each root was prepared for observation using scanning electron microscope and the maximum distance between CEM cement and surrounding dentin was measured. The data were analyzed by t-test, and significance level was set at α = 0.05.

Results: The mean width of gap in medicated and non-medicated groups was 158/1 μm and 147/1 μm, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Calcium hydroxide premedication had no adverse effect on the marginal adaptation of CEM cement apical plug.

Keywords: Apical plug; calcium hydroxide; calcium-enriched mixture cement; marginal adaptation; scanning electron microscopy.

Figure 1

(a and b) scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph. A gap between the calcium-enriched mixture cement plug and dentinal wall at the root end can be observed in the (a) medicated group (with prior calcium hydroxide dressing and the (b) non-medicated group (without prior calcium hydroxide dressing)