Setting Time and Solubility of Thymol Incorporated Zinc Oxide-Guaiacol Root Canal Sealer: An in Vitro Study

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to establish whether changes in setting time and solubility of the locally prepared zinc oxide-guaiacol endodontic sealer when incorporated with thymol crystals as an antibacterial agent. Materials and Methods: zinc oxide-guaiacol endodontic sealer with thymol crystals incorporated at three different concentrations (2%, 5%, and10%) were tested, For setting time test similar specimens were prepared using ring molds with an internal diameter of (10 mm) and a height of (2 mm), nearly (120±10) seconds once mixing, the sample was located on a metal block in an incubator. A Gilmore needle with a mass of (100±0.5 g) which had (2±0.1 mm measurement) was used; the period of “no indent” was noted from the start of mixing. For the solubility test, similar specimens were prepared using ring molds with an internal diameter of (20 ± 0.1 mm) and a height of (1.5 ± 0.1 mm) and digitally weighted to register the mass of each specimen before and after immersion in distilled water. Solubility was determined after 24 hours and statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics, a One-Way ANOVA test, and post-hoc Duncanʼs Multiple Range Test was used. Results: The means of setting time of three experimental sealers were decreased as thymol crystal concentrations increased and the means of solubility for three experimental sealers were increased as the concentrations of thymol crystal increased. Conclusions: This study concluded that the prepared sealers with three concentrations were still adapted within the requirements of ANSIADA specifications NO.572008 for root canal sealer materials.