Calcium and hydroxide release from different pulp-capping materials

Objective. To evaluate the release of calcium and hydroxide ions from the pulp- capping materials Hydro C, NuCap, Life, and Ultrablend Plus. Study design. The materials were manipulated and inserted into tubes measuring 1 cm in length and 1 mm in diameter. The filled tubes were individually immersed in flasks containing 10 mL deionized water. The tubes were removed from the flasks after 3, 24, 72, and 168 hours, and the release of hydroxide and calcium ions was measured with a pH- meter and an atomic absorption spectrophotometer, respectively. The data were compared by analysis of variance and Tukey test. Results. The results showed that Ultrablend Plus provided the greatest release of calcium ions, with a significant difference observed between Life and Ultrablend after 3 hours. Evaluation after 24, 72, and 168 hours showed a significant difference between Ultrablend and the other materials. No hydroxide release was observed from the Ultrablend cement at any time period. After 3 hours, significant differences were observed between Hydro C and the Life and Ultrablend materials and between NuCap and the Life and Ultrablend materials. After 24 hours, significant differences were observed between the NuCap agent and the other materials. After 72 hours, a significant difference was noted only between NuCap and Ultrablend, whereas after 168 hours a significant difference was observed between NuCap and the Hydro C and Ultrablend materials. Conclusion. All materials released calcium and hydroxide ions, except Ultrablend Plus which did not show any release of hydroxide ions.