Seating of gutta-percha points: effect of sealers with varying film thickness

Abstract

Film thickness measurements were performed on 28 commercially available root canal sealers, cements, and pastes. Film thicknesses ranged from 4 to 180 µm. Scanning electron microscopy showed no apparent correlation between powder particle size and film thickness of the mixed materials. A brass disk with tapering holes that simulated root canals was used to evaluate the influence of sealers on the seating of standardized gutta-percha points. For zinc oxide-eugenol sealers of similar consistency, a statistically significant correlation was found between sealer film thickness and seating restriction of gutta-percha points. Experiments with root canals prepared with standardized instruments in vitro indicated that the introduction of a sealer may prevent reinsertion of a gutta-percha point to its correct prefitted position.