Evaluating the Efficacy of Two Decalcifying Agents on Hard and Soft Tissues of Human Permanent Teeth

BACKGROUND Human teeth and bones consist of hard and soft tissues. Preparing calcified tissues for histological analysis by decalcification is a time-consuming procedure, and the quality of the sections thus obtained is dependent on the speed with which decalcification occurs, as well as the chemistry of the decalcification agent. The present study was intended to identify the method that combines the highest quality of stained sections with a short period of time. METHODS 50 extracted premolars were subjected to decalcification using 10 % Formic acid and 5 % Trichloroacetic acid (TCA). The efficacy of decalcifying agents was evaluated by recording the time taken by particular acid to decalcify the tooth completely. The preservation of morphological characteristics was assessed on the basis of ease of sectioning, uniformity of staining, damage to odontoblast layer, retraction of pulp and fraying of dentinal tubules. RESULTS Comparatively decalcification was faster with 5 % TCA than 10 % Formic acid. Whereas, 10 % formic acid was more considerate on soft tissues than 5 % TCA. All the results were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Samples decalcified with 10 % formic acid gave fairly good results, so it can be used in cases of diagnostic urgencies. KEY WORDS Teeth, Decalcification, Acids, Histopathology