Effect of dual rinse® HEDP, propolis and EDTA on root dentin microhardness: An in vitro study

Purpose: The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the effects of root canal irrigation agents—Dual Rinse HEDP, Propolis, and EDTA—on root dentin microhardness.
Methods: Forty human maxillary central incisors were sectioned buccolingually to yield 80 specimens. The samples were embedded in acrylic blocks; their surfaces were sanded and polished. Thereafter they were randomly assigned to four groups (n=20 each): Saline, EDTA, DR HEDP, and Propolis. Vickers microhardness measurements were performed before and after irrigation using a 100-gf load and a 10 s dwell time. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Student–Newman–Keuls multiple comparison test.
Results: All irrigation solutions except Saline produced a significant decrease in microhardness (p<0.05). The greatest percentage of hardness loss was observed in the Propolis group (24.24%), followed by DR HEDP (20.61%) and EDTA (19.56%). The Saline group showed no significant change (0.81%). No statistically significant differences were found among the EDTA, DR HEDP, and Propolis groups (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Although not statistically significant, Dual Rinse HEDP caused a greater decrease in root dentin microhardness than EDTA.

Keywords: Dentin microhardness, dual rinse HEDP, propolis, root canal irrigation, Vickers hardness test.