Synthesis and Characterization of Calcium Hydroxide from Indonesian Limestone as Endodontic Intracanal Medicament

Abstract

Calcium hydroxide [Ca (OH) 2 ] has been the gold standard for endodontic medicament as inter-appointment dressing, due to its ability to act as antimicrobial agent and to promote hard tissue healing. The main mechanism of this material is the release of Ca 2+ and OH - ions through its vehicle, providing high alkaline pH. Indonesia, has many potential resources, namely limestone (CaCO 3 ), that can be utilized as raw material for Ca (OH) 2 . The objective of this present study is to investigate the synthesis and characterization of Ca (OH) 2 from Indonesian limestone as endodontic intra-canal medicament. Limestone were taken from Palimanan area in West Java, Indonesia. CaCO 3 was calcined at 900°C for 4h resulting CaO powder. CaO powder were mixed with distilled water using a rotary stirrer for 24h and produce Ca (OH) 2 paste. The Ca (OH) 2 paste was dried at 80°C, then crushed using a mortar and pestle to obtain Ca (OH) 2 powder. The powder samples were thus subjected for characterization by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. The XRD patterns revealed that the high peak of Ca (OH) 2 crystallinity was successfully achieved in this study. The FTIR spectroscopy also showed bands at 3640 cm - 1 which belongs to OH - stretching vibration of the Ca (OH) 2 . The results indicate that the synthesize of Indonesian limestone as Ca (OH) 2 by this method was attained. Indonesian limestone is a potential raw material that can be used as a precursor for synthesis of Ca (OH) 2 as endodontic material.