The comparison of physicochemical properties of new and established root canal sealers

Abstract

Introduction: To evaluate and compare various physicochemical properties of different root canal sealers. Materials and Methods: Three root canal sealers, AH Plus, Endosequence BC sealer, and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) Plus were evaluated for their flow, radiopacity, dissolution, and coronal discoloration. The flow test was based on the section 7.2 of the International Organization for Standardization 6876. For radiopacity, test specimens were radiographed next to aluminum step wedge. Dissolution of all the sealers was evaluated in chloroform and Endosolv E for 2, 5, and 10 min. Finally, coronal discoloration was assessed using the CIE Laboratory color system at 1 day, 1 week, 1, 2, and 4 months period of time. Results: AH Plus showed the maximum mean flow (29.00 ± 0.75) mm followed by MTA Plus: (21.75 ± 0.75) mm and Endosequence BC sealer: (21.00 ± 3.19) mm. AH Plus showed maximum radiopacity, i.e. 221.25 ± 10.64 gray value followed by Endosequence BC sealer, i.e. 187.83 ± 8.24 gray value and MTA Plus with 180.34 ± 16.85 gray value. In dissolution, the best solvent at 10 min was chloroform. Among the sealers, MTA Plus was least dissolved followed by AH Plus and Endosequence BC sealer was the most. Endosolv E was the better solvent for Endosequence BC sealer. In coronal discoloration experiment, MTA Plus caused the most coronal discoloration at 4 months, i.e. ΔE 4.80 ± 1.01, while AH Plus caused the least amount of discoloration, i.e. ΔE 3.84 ± 0.92. Endosequence and MTA Plus caused clinically perceptible discoloration. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the present study, it can be stated that the tested sealers can be used clinically with a successful outcome as they have favorable physicochemical properties.