Morphological and chemical changes in dentin after using endodontic agents: Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometry, and scanning electron microscopy study

We examine the morphological and chemical changes in the pulp chamber dentin after using endodontic agents by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy (FT-Raman), and micro energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometry (mu EDXRF). Thirty teeth were sectioned exposing the pulp chamber and divided by six groups (n = 5): NT-no treatment; CHX-2% chlorhexidine; CHXE-2% chlorhexidine + 17% EDTA; E-17% EDTA; SH5-5.25% NaOCl; SH5E-5.25% NaOCl + 17% EDTA. the inorganic and organic content was analyzed by FT-Raman. mu EDXRF examined calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) content as well as Ca/P ratio. Impressions of specimens were evaluated by SEM. Data were submitted to Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests (p NT = SH5E > CHX > E > CHXE). CHXE and E presented the highest Ca/P ratio values compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). the SEM images in the EDTA-treated groups had the highest number of open tubules. Erosion in the tubules was observed in CHX and SH5E groups. Endodontic agents change the inorganic and organic content of pulp chamber dentin. NaOCl used alone, or in association with EDTA, was the most effective agent considering chemical and morphological approaches. (C) 2012 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). IDOL 10.1117/1.JBO.17.7.075008Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)São Paulo Research Support FoundationUniv Estadual Campinas, Dept Pediat Dent, Piracicaba Dent Sch, BR-13414903 Piracicaba, SP, BrazilNIAMSD, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814 USAVale Paraiba Univ UNIVAP, Dent Mat & Operat Dent Dept, Inst Res & Dev, Sch Dent,IP&D,Lab Biomed Vibrat Spect,LEVB, BR-12244000 Sao Jose Dos Campos, SP, BrazilFed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Math & Earth Sci Dept, BR-09972270 São Paulo, BrazilFed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Math & Earth Sci Dept, BR-09972270 São Paulo, BrazilSão Paulo Research Support Foundation: 05/58561-1São Paulo Research Support Foundation: 01/14384-8São Paulo Research Support Foundation: 05/50811-9Web of Scienc