Effects of combining Ledermix and calcium hydroxide pastes on the diffusion of corticosteroid and tetracycline through human tooth roots in vitro.

A 50:50 mixture of a corticosteroid/antibiotic paste and calcium hydroxide has been used clinically as a root canal dressing agent. This study investigated the effect on the release and diffusion of the corticosteroid and antibiotic components of Ledermix paste when it was mixed with a calcium hydroxide-methyl cellulose paste. The release rates of the trace molecules were lower when the mixture was used compared with release from Ledermix alone. The results indicated that this combination of materials, when used a long-term intracanal dressing, was likely to be more effective than Ledermix alone.