Comparative evaluation of chelating efficacy of nano-chitosan, pomegranate extract, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on primary radicular dentin: An in vitro study.

Background: Irrigation is a crucial aspect of root canal treatment, and it is imperative to employ chelating agents to eliminate the smear layer during biomechanical preparation. They in turn react with mineral content of dentin, leading to decreased strength and increased susceptibility to fracture.

Aims: This study aimed to assess and compare mineral loss and microhardness from primary root canal dentin following the usage of different irrigating solutions and determine the least detrimental irrigant among the tested solutions.

Materials and methods: Sixty-six primary anterior teeth were divided into three groups with 22 in each- Group I: 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) Group II: 0.2% Nano chitosan Group III: Pomegranate extract. The decoronated teeth were split longitudinally. Half of it was directly subjected to Vickers test, and the other half was immersed in a magnetic stirrer bath containing test solution to record the mineral loss from solution. Postmicrohardness values were recorded on the specimen and compared with initial values.

Statistical analysis used: Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software (Version 20, SPSS, IBM, Armonk, NY, U. S. A).

Results: Descriptive statistics were calculated, and the groups were compared using analysis of variance test and post hoc Tukey test. Pomegranate extract showed least effect on mineral content and microhardness compared to 17% EDTA and 0.2% nano chitosan. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Conclusion: Pomegranate aril extract showed better results with selected parameters.