Flexural strength and microhardness of human radicular dentin sticks after conditioning with different endodontic chelating agents.

Abstract

The objective of this in vitro study was to examine the impact of different endodontic chelating agents on the flexural strength and microhardness of root dentin. Fourty dentin sticks of (1 mm × 1 mm × 12 mm) were obtained from 10 single-rooted premolars and divided into four groups (n = 10). One stick from each tooth was assigned to one of the experimental groups and was soaked in one of the experimental chelating solutions for 5 min 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), 2.5% phytic acid (PA), 18% etidronic acid, or saline (control group). Following the 5-min soak, the sticks' flexural strength was evaluated using a 3-point loading test using the universal testing machine, and the surface microhardness was tested using a Vickers's microhardness tester. PA (2.5%) and etidronic acid (18%) showed no significant detrimental effect on either the flexural strength or the surface microhardness of radicular dentin compared to the control. EDTA (17%) exhibited a significant drop in the flexural strength and microhardness of radicular dentin compared to the other groups. PA and etidronic acid chelators do not compromise the surface and bulk mechanical properties of radicular dentin.