Aim: To compare the effect of three different intracanal medicaments, namely, modified triple antibiotic paste (MTAP), calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), and aloe vera, on the root dentine microhardness.
Materials and methods: A total of 50 extracted mandibular bicuspids were prepared using ProTaper Next rotary files. The roots of the bicuspids were alienated to three groups (n = 10 each) and one control group (untreated; n = 20). In three groups, the root canals were filled with MTAP, Ca(OH)2, and aloe vera medicaments. After 21 days, medicaments were removed by Endo activator. Mean Knoop hardness numbers were calculated after treatment and compared with the untreated control group. Data were evaluated using the Student's t test (paired), ANOVA (one-way) followed, and the post hoc test.
Results: All treated groups except the aloe vera group had shown significant reduction (p < 0.05) in microhardness of the root dentin as compared with the untreated control group. The aloe vera group showed least reduction of microhardness and was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Aloe vera shows promising results in terms of fewer effects on microhardness of the root dentin compared to MTAP and Ca(OH)2.
Clinical significance: Elimination of most of the bacterial infection from the root canal and very minimum to no effect on the microhardness of the dentin in the root part are the basics of success in any endodontic treatment. Further in vivo studies are required to compare the efficacy of these intracanal medicaments.
Keywords: Aloe vera; Calcium hydroxide; Microhardness; Modified triple antibiotic paste Root dentin..