A Comparative Analysis of the Impact of Different Intracanal Medicaments On Root Dentin Microhardness: An In-Vitro Study

Aim To evaluate and compare the effect of 3 different intracanal medicaments namely calcium hydroxide (Neopex), Modified Triple Antibiotic Paste (MTAP) and Propolis on microhardness of root dentin.  Materials and Methods Sixty (60), extracted mandibular premolar teeth were prepared using rotary files, decoronated and sectioned to obtain one twenty (120) mid-root dentin disc samples. These samples were randomly divided into three groups (n=40) and treated with Group I - calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2, Group II - Modified Triple Antibiotic Paste (MTAP) and Group III - Propolis. Twenty samples from each group were subjected to microhardness testing after 7 days of application of intracanal medicament and remaining 20 samples were subjected to microhardness testing after 14 days. Data obtained was statistically evaluated using ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test.  Result In the propolis group, microhardness values gradually increased (p <0.01), but in the calcium hydroxide and MTAP groups, microhardness values gradually decreased (p <0.01).  Conclusion Compared to Calcium hydroxide and MTAP, propolis exhibits beneficial results in terms of having less of an impact on the microhardness of the root dentin.  Clinical Significance The removal of bacterial infection from the root canal with little to no impact on the microhardness of the root dentin is essential for the success of endodontic treatment. Further in vivo studies are required to compare the efficacy of these intracanal medicaments.