Abstract
The aim of this review was to identify and analyse all studies related to the effects of alkaline materials used in dentistry on roots of teeth. The first part of the review focused on mechanical property alterations of root dentine due to sodium hypochlorite (SH) used as an irrigant solution based on MeSH (Medical Subject Heading) terms from a previous study by Pascon et al in 2009. The second part reviewed literature on calcium hydroxide (CH), mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and other alkaline materials used as root canal dressings or filling materials. Additional MeSH terms used included “compressive strength”, “elastic modulus” “flexural strength”, “fracture strength” and “fracture resistance”. The language filter was English. Of the initial 205 articles identified, 49 were included in this review, of which 29 were on SH, 21 on CH/MTA, and 1 relating to both. Many in vitro studies indicated a strong link between reduced mechanical properties of roots of teeth or radicular dentine treated with SH, and when sealers or root fillings with CH- or MTA-based materials were placed in contact with roots or radicular dentine. Recent literature indicates that the association between reduced mechanical properties and alkaline sealers and/or root-filling materials is not as straightforward as previously assumed, and requires further investigation using more valid experimental models.
Highlights
Alkaline materials such as sodium hypochlorite (SH), calcium hydroxide (CH) and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) have been used for various applications within dentistry.Sodium hypochlorite is widely used as an irrigant in endodontics due to its disinfection actions and its ability to dissolve necrotic organic material within the root canal system of teeth [1,2]
Many in vitro studies indicated a strong link between reduced mechanical properties of roots of teeth or radicular dentine treated with SH, and when sealers or root fillings with CH- or MTA-based materials were placed in contact with roots or radicular dentine
Dentine consists of a hydrated organic matrix which is mainly type 1 collagen, which comprises 22% by weight of the material, into which is embedded an inorganic phase of carbonated apatite that contributes to its mechanical properties [3]
Summary
Alkaline materials such as sodium hypochlorite (SH), calcium hydroxide (CH) and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) have been used for various applications within dentistry.Sodium hypochlorite is widely used as an irrigant in endodontics due to its disinfection actions and its ability to dissolve necrotic organic material within the root canal system of teeth [1,2]. Dentine consists of a hydrated organic matrix which is mainly type 1 collagen, which comprises 22% by weight of the material, into which is embedded an inorganic phase of carbonated apatite that contributes to its mechanical properties [3]. SH may affect the mechanical properties of dentine by damaging its organic matrix by making dentine more brittle. This topic was reviewed by Pascon et al who concluded that SH alters the mechanical properties of dentine [6]. These authors systematically reviewed the effect of mechanical analysis, elastic modulus, hardness, roughness, compressive strength and the flexural strength of dentine
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