Journal of Conservative Dentistry
Home About us Editorial Board Instructions Submission Subscribe Advertise Contact e-Alerts Login 
Users Online: 160
Print this page  Email this page Bookmark this page Small font sizeDefault font sizeIncrease font size
 

 
Table of Contents   
ORIGINAL ARTICLE  
Year : 2014  |  Volume : 17  |  Issue : 6  |  Page : 546-549
Dentine microhardness changes following conventional and alternate irrigation regimens: An in vitro study


Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Mar Baselios Dental College, Kothamangalam, Ernakulam, Kerala, India

Click here for correspondence address and email

Date of Submission28-Apr-2014
Date of Decision24-Aug-2014
Date of Acceptance18-Sep-2014
Date of Web Publication13-Nov-2014
 

   Abstract 

Aim: To compare the changes in microhardness of root dentin caused by two novel irrigation regimens with conventional irrigation.
Materials and Methods: Forty extracted human permanent incisor teeth were selected. Decoronated roots were separated longitudinally to get 80 specimens that were embedded in autopolymerizing acrylic resin and grounded flat with silicon carbide abrasive papers. Of these, 60 root segments without any cracks or defects were selected and divided into four groups according to the irrigation regimen used (n = 15). Group I: 5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) + 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) + 0.2% chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) (conventional). Group II: 6% Morinda Citrifolia Juice + 17% EDTA (MCJ). Group III: 5% NaOCl + Q Mix 2 in 1 (QMix). Group IV: Distilled water (control). Irrigation regimens were performed for 5 minutes. Dentin microhardness was measured with a Vickers indenter under a 200-g load and a 20-s dwell time at the midroot level of root dentin. The data were analyzed using Kruskal Wallis test and Dunn's multiple comparison tests.
Results: A significant difference was seen in the median values of the four groups. The control group showed the least reduction in microhardness when comparison with the other groups. Except for Group III (Q Mix), the other groups that were tested (MCJ and conventional regimens) showed statistically significant difference from the control group.
Conclusion: Within the limitation of this study, it was concluded that NaOCl + Q Mix were least detrimental to root dentin microhardness when compared with MCJ and conventional irrigation regimens.

Keywords: Chlorhexidine; dentine microhardness; EDTA; irrigation regimes; Morinda citrifolia juice; Q mix

How to cite this article:
Das A, Kottoor J, Mathew J, Kumar S, George S. Dentine microhardness changes following conventional and alternate irrigation regimens: An in vitro study . J Conserv Dent 2014;17:546-9

How to cite this URL:
Das A, Kottoor J, Mathew J, Kumar S, George S. Dentine microhardness changes following conventional and alternate irrigation regimens: An in vitro study . J Conserv Dent [serial online] 2014 [cited 2023 Jun 9];17:546-9. Available from: https://www.jcd.org.in/text.asp?2014/17/6/546/144592

   Introduction Top


An irrigant with the ability to remove the smear layer without causing erosion of the radicular dentin and also eradicate microbial biofilms would be considered close to ideal. [1] The irrigants that are used in routine endodontic practice are saline, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and chlorhexidine (CHX). [1] It is reported that endodontic irrigants are capable of altering the chemical composition of dentin by removing the calcium ions present in the hydroxyapatite crystals. [2],[3],[4] This, in turn, would lead to changes in the microhardness, permeability, and solubility characteristics of dentin, owing to the alteration of the original proportion of organic and inorganic components. [5] In addition, changes in the calcium ion content adversely affect the adhesion of resin-based root canal sealers to root dentin. [5] Hence, microhardness determination can provide indirect evidence of mineral loss or gain in the dental hard tissues. [6]

Murray et al. [7] proved that 6% Morinda Citrifolia Juice (MCJ), a phytotherapeutic agent, with high antibacterial efficacy can be used as a root canal irrigant; 6% MCJ is recommended as the initial irrigant to be followed with 17% EDTA, to produce a similar smear layer removing efficiency as that of 6% NaOCl + EDTA. [7],[8] Another new irrigant that has been introduced, contains a combination of EDTA, CHX, and Cetrimide (Q Mix 2 in 1) (Q Mix TM 2 in; DENTSPLY Tulsa Dental Specialties, Tulsa, OK, USA). It has been assessed and compared with other irrigants for smear layer removal, [9],[10],[11],[12] antibacterial potential, [9] cytotoxicity, [13] wetting with root canal sealer, [14] and bonding with fiber post. (11) However, no study has been reported for a comparative evaluation of changes in the root dentin microhardness caused by these novel irrigation regimens (Q Mix TM and MCJ) with the conventional irrigation regimen as suggested by Zender. [15] Hence, the aim of this study is to compare the changes in microhardness of dentin caused by these new irrigation regimens, using Vicker's microhardness test. The research hypothesis states that there is a significant difference between the tested groups compared with the control.


   Materials and methods Top


Preparation of samples

Forty human maxillary central incisors were selected. All the teeth were stored in 0.1% Thymol (w/v) solution until sterilization. They were cleaned of surface debris and were decoronated at the cemento-enamel junction using low-speed diamond disc (Horico, Berlin, Germany) under water cooling, after which the pulp tissue was removed using a barbed broach (Mani Inc-Tochigi Ken, Utsunomiya-shi, Japan). Each root was then sectioned longitudinally with low-speed diamond disc (Horico, Berlin, Germany) starting from the cervical to the apical area with, separating each root into buccal and lingual segments and making total 80 segments. The root segments were then horizontally embedded in autopolymerizing acrylic resin, leaving their dentin exposed to facilitate manipulation and improve metallographic preparation. The dentin surfaces of the mounted specimens were then grounded flat and smooth on a circular grinding machine with a series of ascending grades of silicon carbide abrasive papers (500, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, and 2000 grit) under distilled water to remove any surface scratches and finally polished with fine grades of composite polishing kit (Microdont, Brazil) and 0.1-mm alumina suspension (Ultra-Sol R; Eminess Tec Inc, Monroe, NC) on a rotary felt disk. Total 60 specimens without cracks or other surface defects were selected after examining them under a dental operating microscope (Seiler Revelation Microscope, St. Louis, MO).

Specimen treatment

The specimens were randomly divided into four groups (n = 15). Each specimen was treated with 5 ml of each irrigant, which was delivered using a micro pipette for 5 minutes as per the protocol assigned in each group.

Group I (Conventional regimen): 5 ml of 5% NaOCl for 5 minutes followed by 5 ml of 17% EDTA for 5 minutes (Pulpdent Corp, Watertown, MA) and finally with 5 ml of 2% CHX (Sigma Aldrich, Inc., Steinem, Germany) for 5 minutes.

Group II (MCJ regimen): 5 ml of 6% MCJ for 5 minutes followed by rinsing with 5 ml of 17% EDTA for 5 minutes.

Group III (Q MixTM regimen): 5 ml of 5% NaOCl for 5 minutes followed by 5 ml of Q Mix TM

Group 1V (Control): 5 ml of distilled water for total 5 minutes.

MCJ was freshly prepared by taking 6 ml of MCJ (Tahitian Noni International, Provo, UT) and diluting it to 100 ml with normal saline using a pipette as recommended by Murray et al. [7] Distilled water rinse was applied between each irrigant to minimize the potential interaction between these irrigants and also immediately after the final irrigant to prevent any substantive effect of the solutions.

Determination of microhardness

The surface hardness of the root dentin was determined in each specimen with a Vickers hardness tester (Matsuzawa MMT7, Matsuzawa SEIKI Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). The indentations were made with a Vicker's diamond indenter at 40× magnification and recorded as 3 separate indentations each using a 200 g load and a 20-second dwell time. The indentations were placed at 0.5-mm level to the root canal wall at a depth of 100 μm from the pulp-dentin interface, at the mid-root level of the root dentin, without any overlap between them. The length of the two diagonals was used to calculate the microhardness value (Vickers Hardness Number [VHN]). The representative hardness values were obtained as the average of the results for the 15 indentations (VHN).

Statistical analysis

The microhardness data were tabulated, and, as the data were not normally distributed, nonparametric test was used for statistical analysis. Data were statistically analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test and the inter-group comparison of means was conducted using a Dunn's multiple comparison test. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 20.0.1 software (V.20.0.1; SPSS, Chicago, USA). Significance was established at P < 0.05 level.


   Results Top


Statistically significant difference was detected among the irrigating solutions (P < 0.0001) [Table 1]. All irrigating solutions, except for distilled water (control), decreased the dentin microhardness. When compared with the control group, the maximum reduction in microhardness was noted in Group I (conventional regimen), and minimum reduction in microhardness were noted in Group III (Q Mix TM regimen). The reduction in hardness among the tested group were as follows; Group 1 (Conventional regimen) > Group II (MCJ regimen) > Group III (Q Mix TM regimen) > Group IV (Control). Inter-group comparison showed that Group III (Q Mix TM regimen) differed significantly (P < 0.01) from Group I (Conventional regimen), but did not show a significant difference (P > 0.05) from Group II (MCJ regimen) and Group IV (Control) [Table 2]. Except with Q Mix TM regimen, the research hypothesis was accepted.
Table 1: Comparison of microhardness values obtained in each groups using Kruskal-Wallis analysis

Click here to view
Table 2: Inter-group comparison of microhardness values done by Bonferroni Dunn's post hoc analysis

Click here to view



   Discussion Top


This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Conventional, MCJ, and Q Mix TM irrigation regimens on the dentin microhardness. Studies reported in the dental literature have tested the individual effect of irrigants on microhardness of root dentin. [4],[16] This would appear to be the first report where the microhardness of dentin is being tested with a combination of irrigants used in succession, thus simulating clinical conditions.

The conventional irrigation regimen of NaOCl + EDTA + CHX in Group I, as recommended by Zender, [15] could be considered as the clinical standard for irrigation. The Group I was tested against two new irrigants. The first of these used was 6% MCJ followed by a rinse of 17% EDTA (MCJ regimen). Studies reported that this new irrigation regimen has good disinfecting and smear layer removal properties when compared with the conventional regimen. [7],[8] In addition, the toxicity of MCJ is very less when compared with NaOCl. [17] The second new irrigant considered was Q Mix TM . This has been proven to have good properties such as biocompatibility, antibacterial action, smear layer removal, and less impact on dentin microstructure. [9],[10],[11],[12],[13],[18]

The primary factors that govern the action of an irrigant are contact time and concentration. Optimum contact time that an irrigant solution must be kept in root canals to remove the smear layer is yet unclear. Yamada's [19] suggested a duration of 1 minute with EDTA was sufficient. However, Goldberg & Spielberg [20] advised a longer period of 15 minutes for optimal results. It has also been proven that EDTA and NaOCl have deleterious effects on root dentine if applied for longer durations. [21] Ulusoy & Görgül [22] and Sayin et al., [6] used the root canal irrigants for 5 minutes in their microhardness tests, stating that this duration is more realistic in terms of clinical practice. Accordingly, in this study, all irrigating solutions were used for a contact time of 5 minutes. Another determinant that has a profound effect on the post-treatment microhardness values of dentin is the concentration of the irrigation solution. [23] As the concentration of NaOCl increases, its bactericidal and smear layer removal efficacy also increases. [15],[24] Thus, in this study, 5% NaOCl was chosen as the irrigant for Group I and Group III.

Knoop indenter microhardness test [2],[25] and the Vickers indenter method [4],[16],[26] have been used to measure the hardness of dentin. However, Vickers microhardness test was preferred in this study because of the method's suitability. Studies reported that microhardness of dentin declined when tested from superficial to deep regions. [2] This can be attributed to the fact that more number of widely opened dentinal tubules are found near the pulp, which offer least resistance to the microhardness testing indenter. [2] Pashley et al, [25] proposed an inverse correlation between dentin microhardness and tubular density. In this study, mid-root dentin region was used for testing to minimize the effect of the structural variations of different teeth and provide a reasonable baseline for evaluation.

Results of this study show that with Conventional and MCJ irrigation regimens, dentin microhardness was significantly reduced. The possible reason for the increased reduction of microhardness in Group II can be attributed to the increased acidic content of the MCJ and the use of 17% EDTA. Maximum reduction in microhardness is seen in the conventional regimen wherein all the three irrigants (NaOCl, EDTA, and CHX) were used separately. It has been documented that individually 5% NaOCl [25] and 17% EDTA [25],[26] can decrease dentin microhardness significantly. Even though, there was no significant difference between MCJ and Q Mix TM regimens; the microhardness values of MCJ regimen was lesser when compared with Q Mix TM regimen [Table 1]. A significant reduction did not occur in Q Mix TM regimen, probably because this product comprises a combination of various substances, including a surface active agent [Table 3]. However, the exact mechanism of action of the two new irrigants, and the reasons behind its less demineralizing effect is yet unclear. Only one study was cited that compared the effect of MCJ and other irrigants on root dentin microhardness, [8] and their result was in accordance with this study.
Table 3: Composition and application procedure of conventional and alternate irrigation regimens

Click here to view


Q Mix TM is superior to 17% EDTA and BioPure MTAD in smear layer removal and exposure of dentinal tubules in the root canal system in single-rooted teeth. [9],[10],[11],[12] In addition, Q Mix TM is shown to be less toxic to the rat subcutaneous tissue than 3% NaOCl, 2% CHX, and 17% EDTA individually. [13] Q Mix TM been found to be more effective than BioPure MTAD and CHX against Enterococcus faecalis and plaque bacteria in planktonic and biofilm culture. [9]


   Conclusion Top


Within the limitation of this in vitro study, it could be concluded that the use of Q Mix TM regimen will not hamper the root dentin microhardness when compared with MCJ and conventional irrigantion regimens.

 
   References Top

1.
Basrani B, Haapasalo M. Update on endodontic irrigating solutions. Endod Topics 2012;27:74-102.  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.
Saleh AA, Ettman WM. Effect of endodontic irrigation solutions on microhardness of root canal dentine. J Dent 1999;27:43-6.  Back to cited text no. 2
    
3.
Doðan H, Çalt S. Effects of chelating agents and sodium hypochlorite on mineral content of root dentin. J Endod 2001;27:578-80.  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4.
Ari H, Erdemir A, Belli S. Evaluation of the effect of endodontic irrigation solutions on the microhardness and the roughness of root canal dentin. J Endod 2004;30:792-5.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5.
Sayin TC, Cehreli ZC, Deniz D, Akcay A, Tuncel B, Dagli F, et al. Time-dependent decalcifying effects of endodontic irrigants with antibacterial properties. J Endod 2009;35:280-3.  Back to cited text no. 5
    
6.
Sayin TC, Serper A, Cehreli ZC, Otlu HG. The effect of EDTA, EGTA, EDTAC, and tetracycline-HCl with and without subsequent NaOCl treatment on the microhardness of root canal dentin. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2007;104:418-24.  Back to cited text no. 6
    
7.
Murray PE, Farber RM, Namerow KN, Kuttler S, Garcia-Godoy F. Evaluation of morinda citrifolia as an endodontic irrigant. J Endod 2008;34:66-70.  Back to cited text no. 7
    
8.
Saghiri MA, García-Godoy F, Asgar K, Lotfi M. The effect of Morinda Citrifolia juice as an endodontic irrigant on smear layer and microhardness of root canal dentin. Oral Sci Int 2013;10:53-7.  Back to cited text no. 8
    
9.
Stojicic S, Shen Y, Qian W, Johnson B, Haapasalo M. Antibacterial and smear layer removal ability of a novel irrigant, QMiX. Int Endod J 2012;45:363-71.  Back to cited text no. 9
    
10.
Eliot C, Hatton JF, Stewart GP, Hildebolt CF, Jane Gillespie M, Gutmann JL. The effect of the irrigant QMix on removal of canal wall smear layer: An ex vivo study. Odontology 2014;102:232-40.  Back to cited text no. 10
    
11.
Elnaghy AM. Effect of QMix irrigant on bond strength of glass fibre posts to root dentine. Int Endod J 2014;47:280-9.  Back to cited text no. 11
    
12.
Dai L, Khechen K, Khan S, Gillen B, Loushine BA, Wimmer CE, et al. The effect of QMix, an experimental antibacterial root canal irrigant, on removal of canal wall smear layer and debris. J Endod 2011;37:80-4.  Back to cited text no. 12
    
13.
Chandrasekhar V, Amulya V, Rani VS, Prakash TJ, Ranjani AS, Gayathri Ch. Evaluation of biocompatibility of a new root canal irrigant Q Mix™ 2 in 1- An in vivo study. J Conserv Dent 2013;16:36-40.  Back to cited text no. 13
[PUBMED]  Medknow Journal  
14.
Ballal NV, Tweeny A, Khechen K, Prabhu KN, Satyanarayan, Tay FR. Wettability of root canal sealers on intraradicular dentine treated with different irrigating solutions. J Dent 2013;41:556-60.  Back to cited text no. 14
    
15.
Zehnder M. Root canal irrigants. J Endod 2006;32:389-98.  Back to cited text no. 15
    
16.
Ballal NV, Mala K, Bhat KS. Evaluation of the effect of maleic acid and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on the microhardness and surface roughness of human root canal dentin. J Endod 2010;36:1385-8.  Back to cited text no. 16
    
17.
Ring KC, Murray PE, Namerow KN, Kuttler S, Garcia-Godoy F. The comparison of the effect of endodontic irrigation on cell adherence to root canal dentin. J Endod 2008;34:1474-9.  Back to cited text no. 17
    
18.
Taneja S, Kumari M, Anand S. Effect of QMix, peracetic acid and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on calcium loss and microhardness of root dentine. J Conserv Dent 2014;17:155-8.  Back to cited text no. 18
[PUBMED]  Medknow Journal  
19.
Yamada RS, Armas A, Goldman M, Lin PS. A scanning electron microscopic comparison of a high volume final flush with several irrigating solutions: Part 3. J Endod 1983;9:137-42.  Back to cited text no. 19
    
20.
Goldberg F, Spielberg C. The effect of EDTAC and the variation of its working time analyzed with scanning electron microscopy. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 1982;53:74-7.  Back to cited text no. 20
    
21.
Calt S, Serper A. Time-dependent effects of EDTA on dentine structures. J Endod 2002;28:17-9.  Back to cited text no. 21
    
22.
Ulusoy ÖÝ, Görgül G. Effects of different irrigation solutions on root dentine microhardness, smear layer removal and erosion. Aust Endod J 2013;39:66-72.  Back to cited text no. 22
    
23.
Zhang K, Kim YK, Cadenaro M, Bryan TE, Sidow SJ, Loushine RJ, et al. Effects of different exposure times and concentrations of sodium hypochlorite/ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on the structural integrity of mineralized dentin. J Endod 2010;36:105-9.  Back to cited text no. 23
    
24.
Marending M, Luder HU, Brunner TJ, Knecht S, Stark WJ, Zehnder M. Effect of sodium hypochlorite on human root dentine - mechanical, chemical and structural evaluation. Int Endod J 2007;40:786-93.  Back to cited text no. 24
    
25.
Pashley D, Okabe A, Parham P. The relationship between dentin microhardness and tubular density. Endod Dent Traumatol 1985;1:176-9.  Back to cited text no. 25
    
26.
Dineshkumar MK, Vinothkumar TS, Arathi G, Shanthisree P, Kandaswamy D. Effect of ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid, MTAD™, and HEBP as a final rinse on the microhardness of root dentin. J Conserv Dent 2012;15:170-3.  Back to cited text no. 26
[PUBMED]  Medknow Journal  

Top
Correspondence Address:
Jojo Kottoor
Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Mar Baselios Dental College, Kothamangalam, Ernakulam - 686 691, Kerala
India
Login to access the Email id

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/0972-0707.144592

Rights and Permissions



 
 
    Tables

  [Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3]

This article has been cited by
1 Effects of traditional and novel proteolytic agents on tissue dissolution and dentine microhardness
Shwetha Elizabeth Jacob, Niharika Prasad, Sreya Dutta, Vasavi Kumblekar, Srikant Natarajan, Kukkila Jayaprakash, Manuel Sebastian Thomas
Australian Endodontic Journal. 2022;
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
2 Evaluation of a Novel Tool for Apical Plug Formation during Apexification of Immature Teeth
Yasser Alsayed Tolibah, Line Droubi, Saleh Alkurdi, Mohammad Tamer Abbara, Nada Bshara, Thuraya Lazkani, Chaza Kouchaji, Ibrahim Ali Ahmad, Ziad D. Baghdadi
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022; 19(9): 5304
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
3 Smear Layer Removal by 1% Phytic Acid after Root Canal Preparation with Three Different Rotary Systems
Ali Soliman , Mohamed Rabie , Hayam Y. Hassan
Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences. 2022; 10(D): 267
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
4 Comparative Evaluation of Microhardness of Radicular Dentin by Using Different Herbal Extracts (Azadirachta indica, Morinda citrifolia, Green Tea) as Root Canal Irrigant: An In Vitro Study
Durgabhavani Gondi, Prasanthi Gonapa, Tejasree Rathod, Paramesh Yelloji, Choppa Arjun
Conservative Dentistry and Endodontic Journal. 2021; 6(1): 1
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
5 Effect of Root Canal Irrigants on the Mechanical Properties of Endodontically Treated Teeth: A Scoping Review
Lara Dotto, Rafael Sarkis Onofre, Ataís Bacchi, Gabriel Kalil Rocha Pereira
Journal of Endodontics. 2020; 46(5): 596
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
6 Morinda citrifolia: A Fruit to Future Endodontics
Hussain Mookhtiar
World Journal of Dentistry. 2018; 9(2): 145
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
7 Effect of Final Irrigation Protocol on Dentin Microhardness
Farah Salahalden Abbas, Nadeen Jamal Abdulredah, Amer Salman Hassan
Biomedical and Pharmacology Journal. 2018; 11(4): 2157
[Pubmed] | [DOI]



 

Top
 
 
 
  Search
 
 
    Similar in PUBMED
   Search Pubmed for
   Search in Google Scholar for
 Related articles
    Email Alert *
    Add to My List *
* Registration required (free)  
 


    Abstract
   Introduction
    Materials and me...
   Results
   Discussion
   Conclusion
    References
    Article Tables

 Article Access Statistics
    Viewed4557    
    Printed114    
    Emailed0    
    PDF Downloaded403    
    Comments [Add]    
    Cited by others 7    

Recommend this journal