Influence of concentration, time and method of application of citric acid and sodium citrate in root conditioning

Objective

The aim of this study was to establish the parameters of concentration, time andmode of application of citric acid and sodium citrate in relation to rootconditioning.

Material and Methods

A total of 495 samples were obtained and equally distributed among 11 groups (5for testing different concentrations of citric acid, 5 for testing differentconcentrations of sodium citrate and 1 control group). After laboratorialprocessing, the samples were analyzed under scanning electron microscopy. Apreviously calibrated and blind examiner evaluated micrographs of the samples.Non-parametric statistical analysis was performed to analyze the data obtained.

Results

Brushing 25% citric acid for 3 min, promoted greater exposure of collagen fibersin comparison with the brushing of 1% citric acid for 1 minute and its topicalapplication at 1% for 3 min. Sodium citrate exposed collagen fibers in a fewnumber of samples.

Conclusion

Despite the lack of statistical significance, better results for collagen exposurewere obtained with brushing application of 25% citric acid for 3 min than withother application parameter. Sodium citrate produced a few number of samples withcollagen exposure, so it is not indicated for root conditioning.