Abstract
This study explores the delivery of novel calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] microparticles loaded with chlorhexidine (CHX) for potential dental therapeutic and preventive applications. Herein, we introduce a new approach for drug-delivery to deep dentin-surfaces in the form of drug-loaded microparticles. Unloaded Ca(OH)2 [Ca(OH)2/Blank] and CHX-loaded/Ca(OH)2 microparticles were fabricated by aqueous chemical-precipitation technique. The synthesized-microparticles were characterized in vitro for determination of surface-morphology, crystalline-features and thermal-properties examined by energy-dispersive X-ray scanning and transmission electron-microscopy (EDX-SEM/TEM), Fourier-transform infrared-spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning-calorimetry (DSC). Time-related pH changes, initial antibacterial/biofilm-abilities and cytotoxicity of CHX-loaded/Ca(OH)2 microparticles were evaluated. Microparticles were delivered to dentin-surfaces with subsequent SEM examination of treated dentin-substrates. The in vitro and ex vivo CHX-release profiles were characterized. Ca(OH)2/Blank were hexagonal-shaped with highest z-average diameter whereas CHX-inclusion evidenced micro-metric spheres with distinguishable surface “rounded deposits” and a negative-shift in diameter. CHX:Ca(OH)2/50 mg exhibited maximum encapsulation-efficiency with good antibacterial and cytocompatible properties. SEM examination revealed an intact layer of microparticles on exposed dentin-surfaces with retention of spherical shape and smooth texture. Microparticles loaded on dentin-surfaces showed prolonged release of CHX indicating substantial retention on dentin-substrates. This study validated the inherent-applicability of this novel drug-delivery approach to dentin-surfaces using micro-metric CHX-loaded/Ca(OH)2 microparticles.
Highlights
Restoration of tooth structure with retention of pulp vitality is an important essence of restorative dentistry [1]
Clinical studies have highlighted the success of materials such as calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2], zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) in effective pulp-capping procedures [3,4]
Calcium hydroxide was originally introduced to the field of endodontics as an intracanal pulp-capping/apexification agent owing to its high alkalinity and biocompatible nature; which has extensive applications in modern clinical dentistry [5]
Summary
Restoration of tooth structure with retention of pulp vitality is an important essence of restorative dentistry [1]. Vital pulp therapy (VPT) provides the advantage of preserving the dental pulp tissue that has been compromised by caries, trauma or restorative procedures and stimulates the remaining pulp to regenerate reparative dentin [1,2]. Clinical studies have highlighted the success of materials such as calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2], zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) in effective pulp-capping procedures [3,4]. Calcium hydroxide was originally introduced to the field of endodontics as an intracanal pulp-capping/apexification agent owing to its high alkalinity and biocompatible nature; which has extensive applications in modern clinical dentistry [5]. Most studies on the applications of calcium hydroxide have focused on some of its biological properties such as antibacterial efficacy, dentin-remineralization and stimulation of reparative bridge formation [6,7]. Benefits of Ca(OH) have been regarded, concerns such as pulp inflammation upon Ca(OH) exposure and reduced antibacterial activity due to formation of a defective barrier were previously addressed [11,12]
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