EFFECT OF 4 VEHICLES ON THE PH OF CALCIUM HYDROXIDE AND THE RELEASE OF CALCIUM-ION

Nonsetting calcium hydroxide pastes are commonly used in endodontic pr actice. The desired therapeutic effect of such a paste is in part depe ndent on the dissociation of calcium hydroxide into hydroxy ion and ca lcium ion. This in turn is influenced by the vehicle used to make the paste. This investigation attempts to quantitatively estimate the rele ase of hydroxyl ion and calcium ion from pastes made by using distille d water, normal saline solution, camphorated monochlorophenol and also an experimental vehicle, propylene glycol. The results of this study indicate that propylene glycol induces the most favorable release char acteristics of the two ionic species.