Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of Sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) compared to Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) as intracanal medicaments in terms of superficial chemical structure and microhardness.
Methods: Sixty human dentin discs were obtained from single-rooted premolars, and randomly allocated into 4 groups (n=15); NaDCC group, Ca(OH)2 group, N-S group (Saline control group), N-Na group (NaOCl control group). After 1 and 4 weeks, Phosphate/amide I ratio (PO4/amide I) was evaluated by FTIR then dentin microhardness was assessed.
Results: The results of PO4/amide I ratio showed a statistically significant difference between all groups after 1 week (p<0.001) where the highest mean value was found in CaOH and the least mean value was found in NaDCC. Also, after 4 weeks the results of PO4/amide I ratio showed a statistically significant difference between all groups (p<0.001) where the highest and least mean values were similar to that of 1 weeks. The results of microhardness showed no statistically significant difference between all tested groups after 1 week (p=0.337) while, after 4 weeks, NaDCC showed a statistically significant difference when compared to Ca(OH)2 and NaOCl groups (p<0.001) where the highest mean value was found in saline group and the least mean value was found in CaOH.
Conclusions: The use of Ca(OH)2 for 4 weeks reduced dentin microhardness, whereas NaDCC did not result in any change in the microhardness value. However, a change in PO4/amide I ratio was observed earlier after 1 week in both Ca(OH)2 and NaOCl groups.