Tooth Discoloration and Solubility of Zinc Oxide Eugenol Combined with Different Concentrations of Nano-Curcumin: An in vitro Study

stement of the Problem: 

Due to the unfavorable properties of eugenol, the eugenol content can be reduced to improve the properties of zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) by making a new combination of nanocurcumin called curcumin pulpal paste (CPP).

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the solubility and tooth discoloration of three concentrations of CPP compared to ZOE, and Metapex.

In this in vitro study for evaluating of the solubility, five groups including ZOE, Metapex, and three concentrations of CPP (5%, 10%, and 20%) were tested. For evaluating the solubility, the changes in of the weight of samples were measured at 1, 3, 7 and 30 days after initial setting. In order to evaluate the tooth discoloration, 75 bovine maxillary anterior teeth were filled with one of five pulpal pastes. The changes in tooth color were evaluated at 1 hour, 1 week, 1 and 3 months after material placement.

The solubility increased by increasing the nano-curcumin percentage in CPPs. After 30 days, the solubility of the 5%CPP, and ZOE was not significantly different (p= 1.000). According to the colorimetric test, after 3 months, the highest discoloration was recorded for 20%CPP (8.45), and the smallest discoloration was registered for Metapex (4.06). The discoloration of 5%CPP, and 10% CPP was similar to ZOE’s color change (p> 0.05).

The results of the present study showed that the solubility of pulpal paste has increased with increasing curcumin concentrations. Therefore, pulpal paste with different nanocurcumin concentrations can be used considering the patient's age and the desired time of deciduous tooth loss, and dissolution of pulpal paste. Concerning the discoloration after 3 months, Metapex was the best material and the most discoloration rate was related to 20%CPP, and there was no difference between the 5% CPP, and 10% CPP with ZOE.