Journal of Multidisciplinary
Dental Research

Abstract

The choice of irrigants in root canal therapy can influence the flexural strength of dentin. Herbal irrigants have gained attention as alternatives due to their antimicrobial efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. The main objective of the study was to compare and evaluate the effect of Punica granatum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and sodium hypochlorite on the flexural strength of root canal dentin. Thirty two human non caries single-rooted maxillary and mandibular premolars were included in the study. The teeth were randomly distributed into four experimental groups based on the irrigant used. Group 1 (n=16): Aqueous extract of 20% pomegranate peel; Group II (n =16): 25% Cinnamon ethanolic extract; Group III (n=16): 2.5% Sodium hypochlorite; Group IV (n =16): normal saline (control). Each tooth was decoronated. Decoronated roots were sectioned longitudinally into buccal and lingual halves, yielding a total of sixty-four specimens. Each segment was embedded in auto-polymerizing acrylic resin and polished with fine emery papers moistened with distilled water. Then these segments are divided into groups based on the irrigant used. All specimens are treated with 5 ml of each irrigant for 10 minutes and rinsed immediately. The flexural strength of dentin is tested using the digital universal testing machine. Statistical analysis was performed using one way ANOVA test. The experimental groups demonstrated a significant enhancement in flexural strength compared to the control group. Among the experimental groups, pomegranate peel extract and cinnamon ethanolic extract showed the highest mean flexural strength, whereas sodium hypochlorite recorded comparatively lower values (p < 0.001). Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that herbal irrigants were less detrimental to root dentin compared to the conventional irrigant, as both herbal agents produced a comparable increase in flexural strength. Further research is required to optimize their concentration and clinical applications.

Keywords: Flexural strength, Sodium hypochlorite, Pomegranate peel, Cinnamon extract, Root canal dentin