Microscopic evaluation of sealer penetration and interfacial adaptation of three different endodontic sealers: An in vitro study

J Conserv Dent. 2021 Sep-Oct;24(5):435-439. doi: 10.4103/jcd.jcd_392_21. Epub 2022 Mar 7.

Abstract

Background: The dentinal tubular penetration depth and interfacial adaptation of sealer are important factors for successful root canal treatment.

Aims: This study aims to assess and evaluate the sealer penetration depth and interfacial adaptation of AH Plus, Apexit Plus, and GuttaFlow Bioseal sealer to root dentin.

Materials and methods: After decoronating sixty extracted single-rooted premolar teeth, preparation was done using ProTaper Gold rotary files until F3. The samples were randomly divided into three groups (n = 20 each) consistent with the sort of sealer used for obturation. After obturation with lateral compaction technique, half of the samples (n = 10 each) were sectioned transversely for measuring tubular depth penetration under a confocal laser scanning microscope. Longitudinal sections were obtained for the rest half the samples to gauge the difference of sealer using the scanning electron microscope.

Statistical analysis used: Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc tests.

Results: GuttaFlow Bioseal has shown a significantly higher depth of sealer penetration and minimum interfacial adaptation than resin-based sealer and calcium hydroxide-based sealer (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: At all root regions, the GuttaFlow Bioseal sealer exhibited more sealer penetration and minimum interfacial adaptation whereas the Apexit Plus sealer exhibited less sealer penetration and maximum interfacial adaptation.

Keywords: Bioceramic sealers; confocal laser scanning microscope; interfacial adaptation; scanning electron microscope; sealer penetration depth.