Abstract

VIEIRA DE ASSUNCAO PINHEIRO¹, Isauremi; BARRETO VIEIRA², Liza  and  COSTA DE LIMA³, Kenio. Efficacy of 20% calcium hydroxide solution for reduction of micrrorganisms in carious dentin. Acta odontol. venez [online]. 2005, vol.43, n.3, pp.251-255. ISSN 0001-6365.

Objective:This study aimed to test the effectiveness of the cavity cleansing solution (calcium hydroxide 20%) in the elimination or reduction of microorganisms associated to dentine caries. Materials and methods:Thirty cavities preparations were made in permanent molars of individuals aging 9-18. A saline solution was used as sampling liquid before and after the cavity washing. The samples were sown in blood agar plates and incubated in anaerobiosis for 48 hours at 37ºC. After the bacterial growth, a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the bacteria was accomplished trough the use of DNA-DNA hybridization for the 23 bacteria. Results: A significant reduction of the amount of microorganisms of the samples collected after laundering was observed when compared with the previous laundering moment (p=0,0007). Of the total of samples that presented microorganisms in the recent prepared cavity, 46,15% had gotten total elimination and 53,84% had presented significant reduction of microorganisms. In relation to the bacteria found after the contaminated tissue removal and washing with calcium hydroxide solution, considerable reduction was observed for S. anginosus, S. mitis and S. sobrinus, as well as for S. aureus and S. epidermidis, although it is not significant (p>0,05). Conclusion:The calcium hydroxide solution seems to be efficient in the reduction of the microbiota associated to dentine caries and, therefore, recommended for use in the clinical practice to support the cavity preparation aiming recurrent caries reduction

Keywords : microorganisms; dentine caries; calcium hydroxide.