Comparison of Sealing Abilities Among Zinc Oxide Eugenol Root-Canal Filling Cement, Antibacterial Bioceramic Paste, and Epoxy Resin, using Enterococcus faecalis as a Microbial Tracer.

Abstract

BackgroundThis study aimed to compare sealing abilities among 3 root canal sealers, using Enterococcus faecalis as a microbial tracer.Material/MethodsSixty-six straight single-rooted teeth were subjected to crown removal at the cementoenamel junction. Root canals were instrumented using the crown-down technique. Prepared teeth were randomly divided into 3 groups of 22 teeth each, according to the sealer used: Canason zinc oxide eugenol root-canal filling cement, Well-Root ST antibacterial bioceramic paste, and AH 26 epoxy resin. Root canals were obturated using the lateral condensation technique, then stored at 37°C and 100% humidity for 1 week to allow sealers to set completely. Subsequently, bacterial leakage was tested using a 2-chamber method. Twice weekly, fresh E. faecalis was placed into the coronal portion of the filled root canal. Specimens were monitored at 24-h intervals for 33 days. The number of leaking samples and mean interval until leakage were compared among groups.ResultsThe mean intervals until leakage were 5.8 days in the Canason group, 1.5 days in the Well-Root ST group, and 13.3 days in the AH 26 group. These mean intervals significantly differed between the Canason and Well-Root ST groups (P=0.035) and between the AH 26 and Well-Root ST groups (P=0.012). After 33 days, survival rates were 31.8% in the Canason group, 90.9% in the Well-Root ST group, and 68.2% in the AH 26 group (P<0.001).ConclusionsAntibacterial bioceramic paste is a significantly more effective root canal sealer than zinc oxide eugenol root-canal filling cement or epoxy resin.