Calcium Silicate-based Endodontic Sealers Research Articles

Comparative in vitro analysis of the antifungal activity of different calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers

Aim: This study aimed to perform an in vitro comparative analysis of the antifungal activity of different calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers against three fungal species. Methods: The antifungal properties of three calcium silicate-based sealers were tested: Bio-C Sealer, Cambiar a Sealer Plus BC, and MTA-Fillapex. Two commonly used sealers were used as controls: AH Plus and Endomethasone. An agar diffusion test was performed to analyze the antifungal activity of the sealers against Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, and a mixed microbial culture medium. The results were analyzed using ANOVA (p <0.05). Results: Endomethasone exhibited the highest inhibition against all strains examined, maintaining a consistent level of inhibition throughout 7 days. MTA-Fillapex demonstrated the best performance among the calcium silicate-based sealers for the three fungal species (p < 0.05), maintaining stable values over the 7 days, surpassing that of Endomethasone. Nevertheless, MTA-Fillapex only exhibited antimicrobial effect against the mixed culture for the first 24 hours, and no antimicrobial activity was observed at 48 hours, being surpassed by all tested sealers (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Of all silicate-based sealers tested, only MTA-Fillapex exhibited promising antifungal activity. Nevertheless, care must be taken when extrapolating these results, as MTA-Fillapex exhibited poor antimicrobial activity when tested in mixed microbial cultures.

Effect of Photodynamic Therapy on the Pushout Bond Strength of Resin-Based and Calcium Silicate-Based Endodontic Sealers.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on the pushout bond strength (PBS) of resin-based and calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers. Methods: Forty single-canal teeth were assigned to four groups. After root canal preparation by the crown-down technique and smear layer removal, groups 1 and 2 served as the control group, and groups 3 and 4 underwent PDT by using a low-level diode laser as the light source and methylene blue as the photosensitizer (MB). The root canals in groups 1 and 3 were filled with AH26 sealer while the root canals in groups 2 and 4 were filled with Endoseal TCS. The samples were sectioned at 4, 8, and 12 mm from the apex tip (1mm thick slices). The PBS test was performed, and the mode of failure was determined in the coronal, middle, and apical thirds. The data were analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis, Friedman, and Dunn tests. Results: No significant difference was noted in the PBS of resin-based and calcium silicate-based sealers in the apical, middle, or coronal thirds in the application of PDT (P>0.05). The PBS of AH26 was significantly higher than that of Endoseal TCS (P<0.05). Cohesive failure was the dominant mode of failure in the AH26 groups, while mixed failure was the dominant failure mode in the Endoseal TCS groups. Conclusion: PDT had no significant effect on the PBS of resin-based and calcium silicate-based sealers.

Cytotoxicity comparison of Bio C Sealer against multiple root canal sealers.

The aim of this study was to compare the cytotoxicity of calcium silicate-based endodontic sealer, Bio-C® Sealer, with other calcium silicate-based sealers: BioRoot™ RCS, one silicon-based sealer combined with calcium silicate particles: GuttaFlow® Bioseal, one resin MTA-based root canal sealer: MTA Fillapex®, and an epoxy resin-based sealer: AH Plus®. NIH 3T3 fibroblasts were cultured and sealers extracts were obtained. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by the MTS assay and the optical densities of the solutions were measured with a microplate reader. This study was designed with one sample for each control group and n=10 for each treatment group of the different sealants. The results were classified according to the degree of cell viability and underwent statistical analysis with the ANOVA test (p<0.05). The samples were examined under an inverted microscope to evaluate the effect of each sealer on fibroblast cell morphology. Cells incubated with GuttaFlow® Bioseal extract showed the highest cell viability without statistically significant differences with the control group. BioRoot™ RCS and Bio-C® Sealer showed moderate (tending to slight) cytotoxicity and both AH Plus® and MTA Fillapex® showed severe cytotoxicity in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). AH Plus® and MTA Fillapex® were not significantly different from one another; nor was BioRoot™ RCS from Bio-C® Sealer. Microscope examination found that fibroblasts in contact with GuttaFlow® Bioseal and Bio-C® Sealer presented the most similar aspects to the control group both in terms of number and shape. Bio-C® Sealer showed moderate (tending to slight) cytotoxicity compared with the control group, GuttaFlow® Bioseal showed no cytotoxicity, BioRoot™ RCS moderate-slight cytotoxicity and AH Plus® and MTA Fillapex® severe cytotoxicity. Key words:Biocompatibility, calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers, cytotoxicity, endodontic sealer.

Effect of calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers on tooth color: A 3-year in vitro experimental study

ObjectiveTo analyze the change in tooth color produced by two hydraulic and one resin-based sealers by means of spectrophotometry for 3 years. MethodsForty maxillary anterior teeth were selected (n = 10 per group). Root canals were prepared by rotary instrumentation and irrigation was performed with NaOCl, which was also used in the final irrigation, followed by saline and activated with Endoactivator. Root canals were then filled using single cone technique. Negative control (NC): gutta-percha filling; Positive control: gutta-percha and AH Plus; experimental groups: gutta-percha and Bioroot RCS/TotalFill BC Sealer. Gutta-percha was cut 2 mm below the cementoenamel junction, the pulp chamber was sealed with flowable composite. The teeth were kept in PBS. Color was measured in the cervical and incisal halves before root canal treatment (RCT), one and six months after RCT, and after one, two and three years, with the Vita EasyShade spectrophotometer; positioned using an individualized splint. ΔEab and ΔE00 were calculated. Two-way ANOVA repeated measures test followed by Bonferroni post-test were performed to analyze the ΔL, Δa*, Δb*, ΔEab, and ΔE00, considering treatment groups and evaluation periods. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. ResultsIn the incisal half, in decreasing order of darkening, the groups at three years were ordered according to the ΔEab: AH Plus > NC > TotalFill > Bioroot. ΔE00 values were: 1.38 ± 0.61 NC, 2.37 ± 0.70 AH Plus, 1.86 ± 0.60 BioRoot and 1.53 ± 0.85 TotalFill. In the cervical half, the ΔEab values, showed the same descending order, except for Bioroot and TotalFill which alternated the order. The ΔE00 values were 1.86 ± 0.61 NC, 3.01 ± 0.70 AH Plus,1.89 ± 0.58 Bioroot and 1.65 ± 0.41 TotalFill, with no significant differences between groups and times in both locations. ConclusionsAll groups presented some degree of discoloration. Lightness and b* component were the most influential. Calcium silicate-based cements (Bioroot RCS and TotalFill BC Sealer) produced acceptable levels of discoloration at the end of follow-up.

Effects of calcium hydroxide intracanal medicament on push-out bond strength of endodontic sealers: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To investigate the effect of calcium hydroxide intracanal medicament on the push-out bond strength of resin-based and calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers. A comprehensive search of was conducted for all relevant in-vitro studies. All randomized controlled in-vitro studies that evaluated the effect of calcium hydroxide on the push-out bond strength of resin-based or calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers were assessed. The variables of interest were extracted, and the risk of the included studies was evaluated. The standardized mean difference was calculated and the significance level was set at p value <0.05. A total of 26 studies were eligible for analysis. There were 45 independent comparison groups and 1009 recruited teeth. The pooled data showed no significant difference in push-out bond strength between calcium hydroxide and control group in the resin-based group (SMD=0.03; 95% CI=-0.55, 0.60; p=0.93), and calcium silicate-based group (SMD=0.02; 95% CI=-0.31, 0.35; p=0.90). Most of the studies (21 out of 26) were at medium risk of bias and five studies showed a low risk of bias. The available evidence suggests that calcium hydroxide used as intracanal medication does not influence the push-out bond strength of the resin- and calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers. The results of this meta-analysis suggest that calcium hydroxide used as intracanal medication does not influence the push-out bond strength of resin-based and calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers.

Evaluation of in vitro experimental model for analysis of bioceramic sealers

This study aimed to evaluate physicochemical properties of three ready-to-use calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers: Endosequence BC Sealer, Bio C Sealer, and Sealer Plus BC. Radiopacity was evaluated using specimens of 10 mm in diameter and 1 mm in height, along with an aluminum step wedge. For the flow test, 0.5 mL of each sealer was deposited between glass plates and the mean of the measurement of two diameters was considered the cement flow value. For pH and calcium release, root canals of 30 prototypes of upper incisor acrylic resin teeth were filled with sealer and gutta percha point and then immersed in containers with 13 mL of ultrapure water. Both pH and release of calcium ions (atomic absorption spectrophotometer) were measured at 3, 24, 72, and 168 h. Acrylic resin teeth were scanned by Micro-CT 1174 at the time of pH and calcium ion readings for volumetric change analysis. The data were analyzed by ANOVA, Tukey’s, Kruskal-Wallis, and Dunn’s tests. Endosequence BC Sealer presented the lowest, and Bio C Sealer the highest volumetric change after 72 h and 168 h (p < 0.05). Endosequence BC Sealer presented higher radiopacity (p < 0.05). All materials showed alkalinization capacity. All of them presented calcium ion release, with a higher value for Sealer Plus BC. All materials presented alkalinization, calcium release capacity, radiopacity, and flow above the minimum values required by the ISO standard. The highest volumetric loss was experienced by Bio C Sealer and the lowest one by Endosequence BC Sealer.

Rendgenkontrastnost jednokomponentnih kalcijum silikatnih endodontskih pasta

Background: Premixedcalcium silicate-based sealers are ready-to-use, injectable materials with advantageous biological properties that create environment favorable for periapical tissues repair and health. The aim of our study was to examine the radiopacities of premixed calcium silicate-based sealers:TotalFill BCSealer, EndoSequence BC Sealer, Ceraseal, Bio-C Sealer and to compare them with epoxy-basedsealer, AH Plus. Material and methods: Three specimens (2 mm thick and 5 mm in diameter) of each sealer were radiographed using charge-coupled device-baseddigital sensor (Trophy Radiology, Cedex, France) along with an aluminum stepwedge reference.For radiopacity determination, a graph of the logarithm of aluminum thickness versus radiographic density was plotted and a calibration curve was generated. Radiopacities were assessed from the graph and presented as millimeters of aluminum per millimeter of material (mmAl).ANOVA with a post hoc Tukey test was used for statistical analysis and significance was set at 0.05. Results: Radiopacity values of EndoSequence BC Sealer and Bio-C Sealerwere significantly lower than radiopacities of Ceraseal and AH Plus. Differences in values between EndoSequence BC Sealer and Bio-C Sealer as well as between Ceraseal and AH Plus were nonsignificant. TotalFill BC Sealer was nonsignificantly different from all other sealers. Conclusion: Premixed calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers evaluated in our study had radiopacity values higher than 9 mmAl, in ascending order,from Bio-C Sealer, EndoSequence BC Sealer, TotalFill BC Sealer to Ceraseal.

Comparative Evaluation of the Adaptation of Two Calcium Silicate-Based Endodontic Sealers with a Conventional Resin-Based Sealer to Dentinal Walls: An In vitro Scanning Electron Microscopic Study

Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to compare the adaptation of two calcium silicate-based root canal sealers with a resin-based sealer to root canal walls at the middle and apical levels using scanning electron microscope.Material and methods: Twenty-six single-canalled lower premolars were instrumented and randomly divided into three groups according to the sealer used with gutta-percha (n=8); AH plus, Bioroot RCS, and Endoseal MTA. Two random specimens served as the blank control group to assess the smear layer removal from the dentinal walls. Teeth were sectioned at middle and apical levels and gap width was evaluated using scanning electron microscope. Data were statistically analyzed with significance level set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: At the apical and mid-root levels, the highest mean values were found in Endoseal MTA group followed by Bioroot RCS group while the lowest mean value was found in AH Plus group with statistically significant difference between all groups. Statistically significant differences were found between Endoseal MTA and each of Bioroot RCS and AH Plus groups. No statistically significant difference was found between Bioroot RCS and AH Plus groups. Conclusions: AH Plus and Bioroot RCS showed statistically better results than Endoseal MTA regarding adaptation to the root canal walls.

The push-out bond strength of calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers

BackgroundThe aim was to compare the dislodgement resistance of calcium silicate-based sealers (Total Fill BC Sealer, Endo CPM Sealer, BioRoot RCS) with an epoxy resin-based sealer (AH Plus).MethodsThe root canals of 80 single-rooted human teeth were instrumented with F360 up to size 45.04. All canals were obturated using matching gutta-percha cones according to the single-cone technique in combination with one of the mentioned sealers (n = 20 per group). After eight weeks of incubation (37 °C, 100% humidity), the roots were embedded in resin. Starting with a distance of 7 mm from the apex, four slices of 1 mm thickness were cut. Dislodgement resistance was measured using a universal testing machine and the push-out bond strength was calculated. Specimens were examined under 4×-magnification to determine the mode of bond failure. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls-test.ResultsRegarding the pooled data of all sections, the push-out bond strength of AH Plus was significantly higher than the push-out bond strength of all calcium silicate-containing sealers (P < 0.05). Out of all calcium silicate-based sealers, Total Fill BC Sealer showed the highest push-out bond strength (P < 0.05). BioRoot RCS had significant higher push-out bond strength than Endo CPM Sealer (P < 0.05). Nearly the same results were found for all four sections. BioRoot RCS only differed significantly from Endo CPM Sealer in the third section (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe push-out bond strength of the investigated calcium silicate-based sealers was lower than of AH Plus. Total Fill BC showed the highest push-out bond strength of the calcium silicate-based sealers.

Do smear-layer removal agents affect the push-out bond strength of calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers?

To evaluate the effect of 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), 2.25% peracetic acid (PA) or 10% citric acid (CA) on the push-out bond strength of calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers [MTA Fillapex (Angelus, Londrina, Brazil) and Total Fill BC Sealer (FKG, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland)] to root dentine after different periods of immersion in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). AH Plus (Dentsply DeTrey, Konstaz, Germany) was used as a reference material for comparison. Thirty human maxillary incisors were selected and three 1-mm discs were obtained from the middle third of each root. On the axial surface of each disc, three 0.8-mm-diameter holes were drilled through the dentine. After standardized irrigation, each dentine disc from the same root was treated for smear-layer removal with one of the three tested chelating solutions: EDTA, PA or CA. After that, the holes were dried with paper points and filled with one of the three test root canal sealers. The filled dental slices were further immersed in PBS solution (pH 7.2) for 7days (T1) or 30days (T2) at 37°C, before the push-out assay. Friedman, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used respectively to estimate the impact of the independent variables (solutions, sealers and period of PBS immersion) on the push-out bond strength. The level for significance was set at α=5% and data were further subjected to a Bonferroni correction. Solutions and periods of immersion did not significantly influence the displacement resistance (P=0.285, and P=0.104, respectively) of sealers to root dentine. On the other hand, the type of sealer significantly affected the push-out bond strength (P=0.000). AH Plus was associated with greater resistance to dislodgment compared with Total Fill BC Sealer and MTA Fillapex (P=0.000). MTA Fillapex resulted in the lowest push-out bond strength (P=0.000). The use of different chelating agents did not influence the push-out bond strength of endodontic sealers. Calcium silicate-based sealers had lower push-out bond strength values compared with a conventional epoxy resin-based sealer (AH Plus).

Effect of the smear layer on apical seals produced by two calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers

We compared the apical seals of two new calcium silicate-based sealers (iRoot SP and MTA Fillapex) in the presence and absence of a smear layer. Eighty-two human premolars were prepared and randomly divided into four groups. In groups 1 and 3, the smear layer was retained. In groups 2 and 4, the root canals were irrigated with EDTA to remove the smear layer. Canals were filled using gutta-percha/iRoot SP (in groups 1 and 2) or obturated with gutta-percha/MTA Fillapex (in groups 3 and 4). Fluid filtration was used to evaluate apical microleakage. The presence of the smear layer had no significant effect on the sealing properties of the filling materials, except for iRoot SP at 2 weeks (P = 0.007). There was significantly less microleakage with iRoot SP than with MTA Fillapex (P = 0.025 at 2 weeks; P < 0.001 at 3 months). Leakage decreased significantly over time in all specimens, except in group 2 (P = 0.473). In conclusion, removal of the smear layer had no adverse effect on the sealing properties of calcium silicate-based sealers. In addition, the sealing ability of iRoot SP was superior to that of MTA Fillapex.

Correlation between sealer penetration into dentinal tubules and bond strength of two new calcium silicate-based and an epoxy resin-based, endodontic sealer

The relationship between sealer penetration into dentinal tubules and the bond strength of two new calcium silicate-based and epoxy resin-based endodontic sealers was evaluated. Thirty recently extracted human maxillary incisors were instrumented and divided into three groups according to the sealer used: (1) AH Plus; (2) iRoot SP; and (3) MTA Fillapex. Sealer penetration into dentinal tubules was measured using CLSM. Then, a universal testing machine was used to compare the push-out bond strengths of the sealers to the root canal dentin. AH Plus and MTA Fillapex exhibited significantly higher sealer penetration than iRoot SP did (p > .05). The push-out bond strengths of AH Plus and iRoot SP were higher than that of MTA Fillapex. We concluded that greater penetration of the sealer into the dentinal tubules was not associated with higher bond strength among the three sealers tested.

Push‐out bond strength of two new calcium silicate‐based endodontic sealers to root canal dentine

To assess the push-out bond strength of two new calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers in the root canals of extracted teeth. Thirty extracted single-rooted central incisors of similar sizes were selected randomly and distributed to three groups (n = 10). All canals were instrumented using ProTaper rotary instruments to achieve tapered canal walls. Irrigation was performed using 5 mL 2.5% NaOCl between each instrument, and the smear layer was removed using 5 mL 17% EDTA. The canals were filled with three different sealers using a cold lateral compaction technique: group 1: AH Plus + gutta-percha, group 2: I Root SP + gutta-percha and group 3: MTA Fillapex + gutta-percha. Three horizontal sections were prepared at a thickness of 1 mm ± 0.1 in the apical, middle and coronal parts of each root. The test specimens were subjected to the push-out test method using a Universal Test Machine (Instron, Canton, MA, USA) that carried 1-mm, 0.5-mm and 0.3-mm plungers for coronal, middle and apical specimens, respectively. The loading speed was 1 mm min(-1) . The push-out data were analysed by two-way analysis of variance (anova) and the post hoc Holm-Sidak test, with significance set at P < 0.05. In the coronal specimens, there was no significant difference between the sealers. In the middle and apical segments, there was no significant difference between I Root SP and AH Plus groups. However, the I Root SP and AH Plus had significantly higher bond strength values than the MTA Fillapex (P < 0.05). In terms of root segments, the bond strengths in the middle specimens and the apical specimens were higher compared with the bond strengths in the coronal specimens (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the bond strengths in the middle and apical specimens. MTA Fillapex had the lowest push-out bond values to root dentine compared with other sealers.