DETERMINATION Of pH AND CALCIUM ION RELEASE PROVIDED BY DIffERENT CALCIUM HYDROXIDE PASTES

Background and Aim: To evaluate the pH and calcium ion (Ca2+) release of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) powder mixed with 3 different vehicles and one Ca(OH)2-based commercial paste. Materials and Methods: Forty-five polyethylene tubes with simulated root canals were used and divided into four groups (n=10); Group 1: Ca(OH)2 based-paste (SURE-Paste), Group 2: Ca(OH)2 powder mixed with articainHCl+epinephrine (Maxicaine 2ml), Group 3: Ca(OH)2 powder mixed with clindamycin phosphate (Clindan 600 mg), Group 4: Ca(OH)2 powder mixed with metranidazole (Flagyl 0.5mg/100 ml). The forty tubes with pastes and five empty tubes (negative control) sealed one of the ends were then immersed in 10 ml deionized water. After 1 and 24 hours, 7 and 30 days, the Ca2+ level and pH of groups was measured. Data were analyzed statistically by two-way ANOVA. Results: pH values and released amount of Ca2+ were gradually increased for groups over time, except negative control group. Regarding the pH and released Ca2+, there were significant differences among experimental groups (p<0.05). In all periods, higher Ca2+ release was observed in Group 2. On day 7, Group 4 had the lowest pH value, while Group 1 had the highest. On day 30, Group 2 showed the highest pH value and Ca2+ release. Conclusions: The pH values of the experimental groups were rather alkaline, nevertheless additional microbiologic culture studies can be done for more conclusive results. Antibiotic solutions can be used as vehicles to be mixed with Ca(OH)2 powder in terms of pH and Ca2+ release.