Characterization of egg shell powder and its potential role in biomineralisation intended for vital pulp therapy

Calcium hydroxide is one of most commonly used in dental procedures. Chicken eggshell powder is a natural calcium rich source having anabolic effects on human bone. It can be used for treatment of osteoporosis, a scaffold for tissue engineering, as bone graft material, as bioceramic, and for remineralization of enamel. Five chicken eggshells were cleaned and disinfected in hot water bath at a temperature of 100°C for 15minutes. These were dried and ground to powder and later subjected to probe-sonication. The characteristics of prepared egg shell powder (ESP) was studied by Scanning Electron Microscope(SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and elemental analysis was performed and Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was done to identify the functional groups and the bonds in the eggshell powder and compared with Calcium hydroxide(Ca(OH)₂), Biodentine^®and Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) material. SEM results showed ESP particles as huge, porous and distributed. The EDX results showed Ca/P ratio 1.64 for ESP.FTIR analysis of set ESP showed more of apatite nature. The characteristics ESP was approving of its apatite nature and could be strategic in management of vital pulp tissue repair.