A confocal laser scanning microscopic evaluation of nonthermal atmospheric plasma on the dentinal tubule penetration of bioceramic and epoxy resin-based root canal sealers.

Abstract

Using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), the current study assessed the impact of nonthermal atmospheric plasma (NTAP) on the dentinal tubule penetration of bioceramic and epoxy resin-based root canal sealers (CLSM). Forty human mandibular premolar teeth with a single root that had just undergone extraction were chosen and biomechanical preparation of root canals was done with ProTaper Gold rotary Nickel-titanium instruments. Samples were divided into four groups (n = 10). Group 1: Bioceramic sealer (BioRoot RCS); Group 2: Epoxy resin-based sealer (AH Plus) without application of NTAP; Group 3: Bioceramic sealer (BioRoot RCS); and Group 4: Epoxy resin-based sealer (AH Plus) with the application of NTAP for 30 s. In Groups 3 and 4, all of the samples underwent obturation with the appropriate sealers following NTAP application. For determination of the sealer's dentinal tubule penetration values, slices with a thickness of 2 mm were taken from the middle third of sample's root and examined using CLSM. The acquired data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance and the Post hoc Tukey's test. The cutoff for statistical significance was P < 0.05. In comparison to other groups, the maximum sealer penetration values into dentinal tubules were significantly higher in Group 3 for Bioceramic sealer with NTAP application and Group 4 for Epoxy resin-based sealer with NTAP application. NTAP application increased the dentinal tubule penetration of bioceramic and epoxy resin-based sealers in comparison to groups without NTAP application.