The purpose of this study was two-fold. First was to evaluate whether the molecular sieving model was appropriate for ionic dissociation experiment. Second was to compare the dissociation of calcium and hydroxyl ions from five types of calcium hydroxide pastes (Pure calcium hydroxide paste, DT temporary dressing®, Metapaste®, Chidopex®, Metapex®) in three vehicles (aqueous, viscous and oily) and the antibacterial effect.

Each calcium hydroxide pastes was placed into 0.65ml tube with cap and then 15% polyacrylamide gel was placed onto calcium hydroxide pastes. After the gel was hardened, the tubes were filled with tridistilled water (pH 7.14) and closed with cap. The tubes were stored in 37℃, 100% incubator. The pH reading and the concentration of calcium ions were taken at 1, 4, 7, 10, and 14 days. The brain heart infusion agar plates with S. mutans and A. actinomycetemcomitans were used for antibacterial activity test. Middle of agar plate was filled with the calcium hydroxide pastes. The plates were incubated at 37℃ and observations were made to detect the zones of inhibition. These data were evaluated statistically by use of the analysis of variance and duncan test.

The results were as follows.

1. In fresh mixing state, the pH of five types of calcium hydroxide pastes were measured between 12.5 and 12.8.

2. The pH was increased in all five types of calcium hydroxide pastes compared with control group. In 14 days, Pure calcium hydroxide paste (11.45) and DT temporary dressing® (11.33) showed highest pH, followed by Metapaste® (9.49), Chidopex® (8.37) and Metapex® (7.59).

3. Calcium was higher in all five types of calcium hydroxide pastes compared with control group. In 14 days, Pure calcium hydroxide paste (137.29 mg%) and DT temporary dressing® (124.6 mg%) showed highest value, followed by Metapaste® (116.74 mg%), Chidopex® (111.84 mg%) and Metapex® (60.22 mg%).

4. The zones of bacterial inhibition were seen around all five types of calcium hydroxide pastes. Chidopex® and Metapex® groups which include iodoform were observed significantly larger zone of inhibition in A. actinomycetemcomitans compared with the other calcium hydroxide groups (p<0.05). However, Metapex® showed the least antibacterial effect on S. mutans compared with other groups (p<0.05).

The molecular sieving model was found to be acceptable in dissociation experiment of hydroxyl and calcium ions when compared with the previous tooth model study. But this model was not appropriate for the antibacterial test.