Comparison of the permeability rate of nanoparticle calcium hydroxide and conventional calcium hydroxide using a fluorescence microscope

BACKGROUND: The permeability feature of conventional calcium hydroxide (CH) and nanoparticle CH (NCH) was compared to show the desired effects of this new material and in case of confirmation of its other properties; CH can be used as a safe alternative. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This in vitro was carried out in two phases: First phase: measurement and comparison of the permeability rate of conventional CH and NCH in the dentinal tubules employing a fluorescence microscope were carried out. Second phase: measurement and comparison of the permeability rate of NCH and conventional CH in L929 fibroblast cells using a fluorescence microscope were carried out. Kruskal–Wallis analysis was used for overall comparisons. A series of Mann–Whitney U tests were used for pair-wise comparisons (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Based on the results of Kruskal–Wallis test, in all three regions of the cervical third, middle third, and apical third of the root, mean values of the percentage difference of the fluorescence and color change in NCH were more than the conventional CH, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). the percentage of fluorescence color change in drug with the concentration of 1 g/cc was more than the one with the concentration of 0.1 g/cc and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The nanoparticle drug compared with the conventional drug has a more penetration depth in all regions of the root of the dentinal tubules.