Evaluation of ionic dissociation of calcium hydroxide associated with Aloe vera as vehicle

Abstract Introduction Calcium hydroxide is considered an intracanal medication gold standard, and different substances can be employed as a vehicle to improve its properties. Aloe vera is a herbal remedy popularly known as babosa and is notable for its immunoregulatory, antimicrobial, healing and cellular biocompatibility. Objective To evaluate the ionic dissociation of calcium hydroxide, with the Aloe vera as vehicle. Material and method The extract of Aloe vera was obtained directly from the leaf, submitted to filtration and stored in a sterile falcon tube. Two groups of intracanal medication were prepared; the control group, with calcium hydroxide and saline; and the experimental group, with calcium hydroxide and Aloe vera as vehicle. Result There was no statistically significant difference between the means of calcium release from the groups (p = 0.944). When comparing the paired values, considering the different evaluations over time, a statistically significant difference (p = 0.015) was identified for the experimental group, so that mean values of calcium released were higher up to the 21st day of the study. Conclusion Calcium hydroxide, when associated with Aloe vera, presented higher ionic dissociation than when used with distilled water. This result, combined with the inherent properties of this herbal remedy, suggests that the paste of calcium hydroxide and Aloe vera can be a viable and promising alternative as intracanal medication and improve apical and periapical repair.