RESUMO
This study aims to evaluate the viscoelastic and chemical properties of dentine after different durations of exposure to 5.25% NaOCl, 17% EDTA and Ca(OH)2 solutions, and NaOCl in alternating combination with EDTA. Standard dentine bars were randomly assigned to: (i) formal-saline control-1; (ii) NaOCl; (iii) EDTA; (iv) NaOCl/EDTA; (v) formal-saline control-2; (vi) Ca(OH)2 pH 12.6; and (vii) Ca(OH)2 pH 9.8. Groups 1--4 underwent 10 min cycles of soaking and dynamic mechanical analysis up to 120 min. Groups 5-7 underwent similar tests at days 7, 14, 28 and 84. FTIR spectra of dentine discs exposed to the same regimens assessed surface chemistry. NaOCl or Ca(OH)2 (pH 12.6) solutions reduced the organic (N-H[1], N-H[3], C=0) peak components of dentine. This study demonstrated that accumulative damage of dentine could be facilitated by alternated exposure to NaOCl and EDTA. Exposure of dentine to Ca(OH)2 (pH12.6) for 7 days reduced viscous behaviour, inferring increased potential for fatigue failure.