In vitro Evaluation of the Efficacy of 2% Carbonic Acid and 2% Acetic Acid on Retrieval of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and their Effect on Microhardness of Dentin.

Introduction: In this in vitro study, the efficacy of 2% carbonic acid and 2% acetic acid on the surface, microhardness of white mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and dentin after 1 day of setting and 21 days of setting of MTA is measured.

Materials And Methods: Tooth molds were made using 60 single-rooted premolars by slicing them to 4 mm in the mid-root region. White MTA (Angelus) was mixed and packed in the molds. Three experimental groups were formed and exposed to 2% carbonic acid, 2% acetic acid, and saline for 10 minutes on 1 and 21 days of setting respectively. Vickers hardness test of white MTA and dentin was done before and after exposure. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc tests.

Results: The results show that 2% acetic acid was significantly effective in reducing the microhardness of white MTA compared to 2% carbonic acid and saline on exposure for 10 minutes.

Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that 2% acetic acid has maximum efficacy in reducing the surface microhardness of partial and completely set MTA, followed by 2% carbonic acid.

Clinical Significance: The following study will help find an adjunct for retrieval of MTA, which was found difficult with the existing methods.