Evaluation of fracture resistance of radicular dentin treated with nanochitosan-loaded calcium hydroxide and nanographene-loaded calcium hydroxide, when used as intracanal medicament: An in vitro study

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effect of using calcium hydroxide (CH) loaded with nanochitosan and nanographene on radicular dentin fracture resistance. A total of 40 mandibular premolar root canals were instrumented with the ProTaper rotary system. The fracture resistance of radicular dentin was measured with the universal testing machine, following which intracanal medicament was placed for 10 days. CH alone and CH mixed with nanoparticles of chitosan and graphene were used. Not using any intracanal medicament was used as the control. A one-way ANOVA, followed by the post hoc Tukey’s test, was used to compare the results of different groups. The highest mean for the force at compressive stress was seen in the control group, and the least was recorded by CH. Intergroup comparison for Young’s modulus showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) between the control group and CH (P = 0.002); CH and chitosan + CH (P = 0.003) on post hoc analysis. Incorporation of chitosan and graphene nanoparticles in CH when used as intracanal medicament improves the modulus of elasticity and compressive strength of radicular dentin, which in turn improves dentin elasticity and fracture toughness when compared to CH alone.