The laboratory investigation of the capillarity of various dental solutions at three temperature levels

Abstract

Introduction/Objective Many oblong micro-spaces of less than 500 μm exist within oral cavity, such as dentine canalicular spaces, gaps, recesses, gingival sulcus etc. Since these spaces are susceptible to food and pathogenic microbe’s accumulation, most dental solutions should be able to penetrate into those micro-spaces exhibiting therapeutic effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of capillarity of commonly used dental solutions at three temperature levels.

Methods The following solutions were examined: ethanol (EA), sodium hypochlorite (SH), hydrogen peroxide (HP), chlorhexidine, saline, citric acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and distilled water. The samples were exposed to the temperature of 20°C, 38°C, and 50°C measuring capillary by glass tube of 400 µ diameter. The capillary effects of the solutions were recorded on the graduated capillary tube (mm) and data were statistically processed.

Results Seventy-percent EA showed the highest raise of capillarity (20–50°C; 8.8 ± 1.1) and 2.5% SH (2.1 ± 1.5) and 3% HP (2.1 ± 1.6) showed the lowest. The highest capillarity at 50°C was showed by 17% EDTA (40.1 ± 1.4) while 4% SH showed the lowest capillarity (25.9 ± 2.1) (p < 0.05).

Conclusion The level of capillarity of dental irrigating solutions was enhanced with temperature increase in all solutions, but not to the same extent.

Keywords: irrigation; sodium hypochlorite; chlorhexidine; EDTA; surface free energy