ability of two calcium hydroxide pastes to inhibit bacterial growth by penetrating through dentinal tubules: an invitro study

ABSTRACT

Thirty dentine sections of 0.5 and, 1.0 mm. were used, the sections were placed on a mitis salivarius agar media. Dycal and M.P.C were placed on the exposed surfaces of the dentine. Swabs from carious dentin were cultured. Sections of Dycal and M.P.C. were placed directly over the culture media. The plates were incubated for 24 hours and examined for bacterial inhibition. Zones of inhibition were only seen when Dycal and M.P.C were placed directly over the agar. Dycal showed statistically significant wider inhibition zones than M.P.C. Further studies are indicated with longer diffusion periods to allow for possible penetration of calcium hydroxide pastes