In Vitro Evaluation of Dynamic Viscosity, Surface Tension and Dentin Wettability of Silver Nanoparticles as an Irrigation Solution

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate dynamic viscosity, surface tension and dentin wettability of a newly introduced imidazolium-based silver nanoparticle solution (Im AgNP) in comparison with three common root canal irrigants. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The irrigants were Im AgNPs at 5.7×10(-8) mol/L(-1), 5.25% Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2% Chlorhexidine (CHX) and 17% Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and distilled water (control group). Dynamic viscosity was measured using rotational digital viscometer at 25, 37, 45 and 60(°)C. Surface tension was evaluated using dynamic contact angle analyzer at room temperature (25(°)C). Wettability was assessed by contact angle measurement for five groups of 10 dentin samples after each group was treated in each irrigant for 10 min. One-way ANOVA, and post hoc Tukey’s test were used for statistical analysis. Significance was set at P<0.05. RESULTS: Dynamic viscosity of all irrigants decreased as the temperature increased. 17% EDTA was the most viscous solution in all examined temperatures (P<0.05). Viscosity of Im AgNP solution at 25, 37 and 45(°)C was significantly lower than that of 17% EDTA and 5.25% NaOCl (P<0.05). Im AgNPs exhibited a higher surface tension than other irrigants except distilled water. The wettability of dentin increased when it was in contact with 2% CHX and 5.25% NaOCl while Im AgNPs decreased the wettability of dentin surfaces (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Im AgNP irrigant has the potential to reach apical portions of root canals due to its lower viscosity compared to the other tested irrigants. However, it may not bring better penetration inside dentinal tubules because of its higher surface tension. Furthermore, Im AgNPs can influence physiochemical properties of dentin by decreasing its surface wettability.