Effect of continuous vs sequential chelation on the mechanical properties of root dentin: An ex vivo study

Objectives: To evaluate the mechanical properties of root canal dentin treated with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) in combination with hydroxyethylidene diphosphonic acid (HEDP) or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).

Methods: For testing fracture resistance, 45 single-rooted teeth were instrumented and irrigated with NaOCl/HEDP, NaOCl/EDTA, or distilled water. Fifteen untreated teeth served as control. After obturation, specimens from the experimental groups were thermocycled, dynamically-loaded, and then statically-loaded in a universal testing machine until failure. For flexural strength analysis, 15 teeth were instrumented and irrigated with NaOCl/HEDP or NaOCl/EDTA. Root segments were sectioned into dentin bars and tested for flexural strength using a universal testing machine. For microhardness evaluation, 20 teeth were instrumented and irrigated with NaOCl/HEDP or NaOCl/EDTA. Dentin disks from the coronal-third of each root segment were prepared, one before and one after irrigation, for microhardness testing with a Knoop hardness tester.

Results: The highest fracture resistance was recorded in the untreated group, and the lowest in the EDTA group. Although the HEDP group had higher fracture resistance than the EDTA group, the distilled water group demonstrated even greater fracture resistance than the HEDP group. Specimens treated with HEDP had significantly higher flexural strength and microhardness values when compared with those treated with EDTA.

Conclusion: The fracture resistance, flexural strength, and microhardness of root canal dentin were higher when root canals were irrigated with NaOCl/HEDP, when compared with NaOCl/EDTA.

Clinical significance: Irrigating root canals with NaOCl combined with HEDP significantly improves the mechanical integrity of root canal dentin compared to the use of NaOCl with EDTA.