본 연구는 제어방출형 근관소독제(CRD)로 부터 chlorhexidine (CHX)의 방출 속도를 제어하기 위한 3가지 polymer (chitosan, PMMA, PLGA) 의 코팅 효과를 평가하기 위함이다. 80번 paper point (Sure-EndoTM)에 20% CHX를 loading 한 후 각 군당 10개씩 4군으로 분류하였다: Group A: 폴리머를 코팅하지 않은 CRD prototype (control), Group B: chitosan-coated prototype, Group C: PMMA-coated prototype, Group D: PLGA-coated prototype. 모든 시편은 3 ml 증류수가 담긴 큐벳에 넣은 후 3, 6, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50분 마다, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6시간마다 각각 10 μl 씩 채취하고, 1주일 후 다시 10 μl을 채취한 후 UV 흡광도를 이용하여 CHX의 방출 속도를 비교하였다. 실험결과 제어방출형 근관소독제로부터 CHX의 방출속도는 대조군, 키토산, PLGA, PMMA-군 순으로 천천히 일어났으며 PMMA군에서 가장 천천히 일어났다. 결론적으로 제어방출형 근관소독제 표면의 폴리머는 약물 (CHX) 방출속도를 효과적으로 제어하였다.
Intracanal disinfection of infected root canal is one of important treatment procedure. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate whether the surface polymers of controlled release drug (CRD) can effectively control the release rate of chlorhexidine for root canal disinfection. Four CRD prototypes were prepared: Group A (n=12); The core device (absorbent paper point) was loaded with 40% CHX solution as control. Group B (n=12); same as group A, but the device was coated with chitosan. Group C (n=12); same as group A and then coated three times with 5% PMMA. Group D (n=12); same as group A and then coated three times with 3% PLGA. All CRD prototypes were soaked in 3 mL distilled water for experimental periods and the concentrations of released CHX from each CRD prototype were determined using a UV spectrophotometer. Results showed that release rate of CHX were the greatest in the non-coated group (control group), followed by the chitosan-coated group, the PLGA-coated group, and the PMMA-coated group (P < 0.05). This data indicate that surface polymers can control the release rate of CHX from the CRD prototypes.
