Phytic Acid: An Alternative Root Canal Chelating Agent

Methods: Root canals were instrumented with rotary files, irrigated with 5% NaOCl followed by a final rinse of either 17% EDTA (1 minute), 1% IP6 (1 minute or 30 seconds) or distilled water. The presence or absence of smear layer was evaluated with a scanning electron microscopy. Cell viability and ALP assays were performed to evaluate the effect of IP6 and EDTA on cultured osteoblastic-like cells. To study the effect on adhesion, NaOCl-treated dentin discs were rinsed with either 17% EDTA (1 minute) or IP6 (1 minute or 30 seconds) after which one-step self-etch adhesive and composite were applied. One ml of 1% IP6 or 17% EDTA was mixed with 1 ml of 5% NaOCl followed by recording the temperature change, bubble formation, chlorine gas smell and bleaching effect of the mix.

Results: IP6 had the ability to remove root canal smear layer. When compared to EDTA, IP6 was less cytotoxic and did not affect the differentiation of osteoblastic-like cells. IP6 reversed NaOCl-negative effect on the adhesion to dentin. In comparison to EDTA-NaOCl reaction; IP6-NaOCl reaction was non-exothermic that produced less bubbles and gas and did not affect the bleaching property of NaOCl after 1 minute of mixing.

Conclusions: IP6 is an effective chelating agent with osteoblastic-like cells biocompatibility, minimal reaction with NaOCl and a positive influence on the adhesion to NaOCl-treated dentin.