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 Ca2+ and OH- ions through its vehicle, providing high alkaline pH. Indonesia, has many potential resources, namely limestone (CaCO3), 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. CaCO3 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.