Dentinal permeability as a therapeutic way in endodontics - in vitro study

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to verify the betamethaso- ne steroid diffusion into dentinal tubules. 0,5% Betamethasone steroid was traced with methyle- ne blue and applied into cavities prepared on occlusal surfaces of 28 extracted human teeth. Teeth were longitudinally sectioned from buccal to lingual aspect. According to the level of infiltration, scores were attributed for each tooth, from 0 to 4. Score 0 meaning wi- thout infiltration and score 4 the maximum infiltration. After, a fil- ter paper was adapted to the roof of the pulp chamber and the drug was reapplied. The results show, in the first experiment, that the drug penetrated in all dentinal tubules of the analyzed teeth va- rying the infiltration level. In 50% of the teeth, the drug reached the pulp chamber roof. In 28.6% rea- ched the pulp chamber roof and one wall and, in 3.6%, the roof and two walls. In 17.8% it reached the pulp chamber roof, floor and two walls. On the second experiment the drug penetrated in 71.43% of the teeth. The different results were attributed to the fact that te- eth which the drug not penetrated have been stained just by the ink. It was concluded that betametha- sone steroid has the potential of diffusion through dentinal tubu- les, and its therapeutic properties, using this way of access, must be better explored. Key words: dentin permeability, diffusion, adrenal cortex hormo- nes, dyes, therapeutics.