Comparison of Fracture Resistance of Two Resin-based Sealers to Root Canal Walls: An In Vitro Study

Abstract

In the present study, the prepared roots obturated by gutta-percha/AH plus and Resilon/Epiphany were tested and compared for fracture resistance. The study also does a scanning electron microscope (SEM) evaluation of the adaptability of these obturating materials to root canal walls. One hundred extracted mandibular premolars were decoronated and the dimensions of the roots were standardized. Each root was prepared to a size of #25 with 6% taper. Roots were gauged after preparation and those requiring more preparation were discarded. Seventy-seven prepared roots were finally selected for the study. The samples were then divided into three groups. Group I with 25 specimens was control group in which no obturation was performed, group II with 26 specimens was obturated by gutta-percha/AH plus sealer, and group III with 26 specimens was filled by Resilon/Epiphany. The method for obturation was cold lateral condensation. The samples were then stored at 100% humidity for 2 weeks. One random sample from groups II and III was subjected to SEM analysis. Groups I, II, and III were then subjected to vertical loading in Instron machine. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and Tukey's multiple comparison test were used for statistical analysis. Group III exhibited the maximum fracture resistance as compared to groups I and II. The least mean fracture resistance of 370.05 N was seen in group II and the maximum mean fracture resistance of 481.05 kN was observed in group III. One-way ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison test between groups I, II, and III, group III showed a highly significant resistance to fracture as compared to groups I and II (p < 0.0001). Scanning electron microscope microphotographs showed a better adaptation of Resilon/Epiphany as compared to gutta-percha/AH plus to the root canal. The Resilon/Epiphany on obturation of root canals creates a monoblock by penetrating inside the dentinal irregularities, which strengthens the root and provides fracture resistance. This fracture resistance was significantly higher in the present study as compared to groups I and II. In the present study, Resilon/Epiphany when used to obturate the prepared canals showed a promising result both in terms of fracture resistance and adaptability to root canal walls. This paves a way for the use of this combination of obturating material not only to strengthen the compromised root strength in clinical scenario but also providing an increased sealing ability which will contribute to the success of root canal treatment.