Degree of conversion of a self-adhesive endodontic sealer when used as bulk material.

Abstract

This study tested the null hypothesis that the opacity of RealSeal SE (RSSE) sealer makes light-curing inefficient, while the degree of conversion (DC) is similar regardless of curing method. Fourteen uniradicular teeth were sectioned at 15 mm from the apex. Root canals were instrumented using the Reciproc file system, bulk-filled with RSSE, and divided randomly into two groups (dual-cure or self-cure). DC was determined by micro-Raman spectroscopy at 24 h, 48 h, and 1 week after filling, at 6, 9, and 12 mm from the coronal end. Contrast ratio (Yb/Yw) was used to determine the opacity of the material. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests were used, and significance was defined as a P value of less than 0.05. Opacity was almost total by the first section, at 6 mm. In dual-cure mode, DC values at 24 h were lower in the apical section (63.8%) than in the more coronal sections and were lower than in self-cured specimens (87.4%). Light-curing of the coronal end did not improve DC. These differences remained at 48 h and 1 week. Only a small (2%) but significant increase in DC was observed in evaluations at 24 h and 1 week. (J Oral Sci 58, 333-338, 2016).