Long-term cytotoxic effects of contemporary root canal sealers

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of root canal sealers on the cytotoxicity of 3T3 fibroblasts during a period of 5 weeks. Material and Methods: Fibroblasts (3T3, 1×105 cells per well) were incubated with elutes of fresh specimens from eight root canal sealers (AH Plus, Epiphany, Endomethasone N, EndoREZ, MTA Fillapex, Pulp Canal Sealer EWT, RoekoSeal and Sealapex) and with elutes of the same specimens for 5 succeeding weeks after immersing in simulated body fluid. The cytotoxicity of all root canal sealers was determined using the MTT assay. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's test. Results: RoekoSeal was the only sealer that did not show any cytotoxic effects (p<0.05). All the other tested sealers exhibited severe toxicity initially (week 0). MTA Fillapex remained moderately cytotoxic after the end of experimental period. Toxicity of the other tested sealers decreased gradually over time. The evaluated root canal sealers presented varying degrees of cytotoxicity, mainly in fresh mode.Conclusions: RoekoSeal had no cytotoxic effect both freshly mixed and in the other tested time points. MTA Fillapex was associated with significantly less cell viability when compared to the other tested root canal sealers.

Physicochemical properties of endodontic sealers of different bases

OBJECTIVE: To assess the setting time (ST), flow (FL), radiopacity (RD), solubility (SB) and dimensional change following setting (DC) of different sealers (AH Plus®, Polifil, Apexit Plus®, Sealapex®, Endométhasone® and Endofill®) according to American National Standards Institute/American Dental Association (ANSI/ADA) Specification 57. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five samples of each material were used for each test. For ST, cast rings were filled with sealers and tested with a Gilmore needle. For FL, the sealer was placed on a glass plate. After 180 s, another plate with 20 g and a load of 100 g were applied on the material, and the diameters of the discs formed were measured. In RD, circular molds were filled with the sealers, radiographed and analyzed using Digora software. For SB, circular molds were filled with the sealers, a nylon thread was placed inside the material and another glass plate was positioned on the set, pressed and stored at 37°C. Samples were weighed, placed in water, dried and reweighed. The water used for SB was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. For DC, circular molds were filled with the sealers, covered by glass plates and stored at 37°C. Samples were measured and stored in water for 30 days. After this period, they were dryed and measured again. RESULTS: Regarding ST, AH Plus®, Apexit® and Endofil® sealers are in accordance with ANSI/ADA standards. Endométhasone's manufacturer did not mention the ST; Polifil is an experimental sealer and Sealapex® did not set. Considering RD, SB and DC, all sealers were in accordance with ANSI/ADA. The spectrometric analysis showed that a significant amount of K+ and Zn2+ ions was released from Apexit Plus® and Endofill®, respectively. CONCLUSION: Except for DC, all other physicochemical properties of the tested sealers conformed to ANSI/ADA requirements.

Tissue reaction to Endométhasone sealer in root canal fillings short of or beyond the apical foramen

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the response of periapical tissues to the endodontic sealer Endométhasone in root canal fillings short of or beyond the apical foramen. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty root canals of premolars and incisors of 2 mongrel dogs were used. After coronal access and pulp extirpation, the canals were instrumented up to a size 55 K-file and the apical cemental barrier was penetrated with a size 15 K-file to obtain a main apical foramen, which was widened to a size 25 K-file. The canals were irrigated with saline at each change of file. The root canals were obturated either short of or beyond the apical foramen by the lateral condensation of gutta-percha and Endométhasone, originating 2 experimental groups: G1: Endométhasone/short of the apical foramen; G2: Endométhasone/beyond the apical foramen. The animals were killed by anesthetic overdose 90 days after endodontic treatment. The individual roots were obtained and serial histological sections were prepared for histomorphological analysis (H&E and Brown & Brenn techniques) under light microscopy. The following parameters were examined: closure of the apical foramen of the main root canal and apical opening of accessory canals, apical cementum resorption, intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate, presence of giant cells and thickness and organization of the apical periodontal ligament. Each parameter was scored 1 to 4, 1 being the best result and 4 the worst. Data were analyzed statistically by the Wilcoxon nonparametric tests (p=0.05). RESULTS: Comparing the 2 groups, the best result (p<0.05) was obtained with root canal filling with Endométhasone short of the apical foramen but a chronic inflammatory infiltrate was present in all specimens. CONCLUSIONS: Limiting the filling material to the root canal space apically is important to determine the best treatment outcome when Endométhasone is used as sealer.

Radiographic analysis of root canal fillings: influence of two sealers on the perception of voids

The aim of this ex vivo was to investigate if two radiopaque root canal sealers with different formulations would influence the radiographic perception of root canal fillings. The root canals of 48 extracted maxillary canines were prepared and randomly assigned to 3 groups of 16 specimens each. In each group, the root canals were filled by lateral condensation of gutta-percha and one of the tested sealers: Endométhasone, Sealer 26, or a non-radiopaque sealer. A through-and-through void was simulated in half of the specimens from each group (n=8). The buccolingual radiographic images obtained were randomly interpreted for voids existence by a radiologist and an endodontist. The differences in sensitivity and specificity between groups and examiners were compared using, respectively, Fisher's Exact and McNemar tests at 5 percent significance level. Both radiopaque sealers caused a significant decrease in sensitivity at the coronal part of fillings. The use of Endométhasone increased specificity values for both coronal and apical portions of the root canal fillings. In conclusion, the tested sealers influenced the radiographic perceptions of laterally condensed root canal fillings in a different way.

O propósito deste estudo ex vivo foi investigar se dois cimentos obturadores de fórmulas diferentes influenciariam a percepção radiográfica de obturações de canais radiculares. Os canais radiculares de 48 caninos superiores extraídos foram preparados e divididos em 3 grupos. Em cada grupo os canais foram preenchidos através da condensação lateral da guta-percha e de um dos cimentos testados (Endométhasone, Sealer 26 e cimento não-radiopaco), e um defeito de ponta a ponta foi simulado em metade dos espécimes de cada grupo (n=8). As imagens radiográficas vestíbulo-linguais obtidas foram aleatoriamente interpretadas quanto à existência de defeitos por um radiologista e um endodontista. As diferenças em sensibilidade e especificidade entre os grupos e examinadores foram comparadas respectivamente usando-se os testes Exato de Fisher e McNemar ajustados ao nível de significância de 5 por cento. Ambos os cimentos radiopacos ocasionaram uma redução significativa da sensibilidade na parte cervical das obturações. O uso do Endométhasone aumentou os valores de especificidade para as porções cervical e apical das obturações dos canais radiculares. Concluiu-se que os cimentos testados influenciaram de maneira distinta a percepção radiográfica de obturações endodônticas executadas com condensação lateral.

Periapical tissue healing after post space preparation with or without use of a protection plug and root canal exposure to the oral environment: study in dogs

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of coronal leakage on the healing of dogs' periapical tissues after root canal filling, post space preparation and protection or not with a temporary sealer plug. Forty root canals of dogs' teeth were instrumented and filled by the lateral condensation technique with gutta-percha points and Endomethasone or CRCS sealers. After post space preparation, the remaining filling material was protected or not with a plug of temporary Coltosol sealer and exposed to the oral environment for 90 days. Thereafter, the animals were sacrificed and the specimens were removed and prepared for histomorphological and histobacteriological analysis. The findings revealed 35 percent of microbial leakage in the groups without plugs and 15 percent of leakage in the groups with plugs. Statistical analysis showed that the use of a Coltosol plug improved significantly the histomorphological results regardless of the type of root canal sealer (p=0.05) and that CRCS and Endomethasone sealers showed similar results (p>0.05).

O propósito deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência da infiltração coronária no reparo dos tecidos periapicais após obturação dos canais radiculares, preparo para pino e proteção ou não de um "plug" de cimento temporário. Quarenta canais de dentes de cães foram instrumentados e obturados pela técnica da condensação lateral ativa com cones de guta-percha e os cimentos Endomethasone e CRCS. Após preparo para pino os remanescentes do material obturador foram protegidos ou não com um "plug" do cimento temporário Coltosol e expostos ao meio oral por 90 dias. Decorrido este período, os animais foram mortos e os espécimes foram removidos e preparados para análises histomorfológica e histobacteriológica. Foi observado 35 por cento de casos de infiltração bacteriana nos grupos sem "plug" e 15 por cento nos grupos com "plug". Concluiu-se estatisticamente que o "plug" de Coltosol foi eficiente no controle da infiltração coronária de microorganismos (p=0,05), e que os cimentos CRCS e Endomethasone apresentaram resultados semelhantes (p>0,05).

Comparative study of sealing capabilities and adhesiveness of injectable root canal sealers using pressure syringe technique.

The accuracy with which root canal space is sealed is a major determinant in the Endodontic success. Use of pressure-syringe to introduce root canal sealer in the root canal without gutta percha or silver cone represents a modification to current technique of obturation. This study investigates the sealing capabilities and adhesiveness of various root canal sealers with the use of pressure syringe technique. Apart from eliminating the use of solid core, pressure syringe technique can be used as a new obturation method since it showed better marginal sealability than the conventional technique.