Comparative Evaluaton of Root Fracture Resistance Using Different Root Canal Sealers

ABSTRACT

Background: Endodontically treated teeth are widely considered to be more susceptible to fracture than vital teeth. To reinforce the instrumented teeth against fracture; sealers are used in conjugation with a core filling material. Methods: The 120 prepared teeth were randomly divided into four experimental groups and two control group of 20 teeth each. One control group of 20 teeth where access opened and left unistrumented and unobturated. Group- I Teeth obturated with gutta percha and epoxy resin based sealer. Group- II Teeth obturated with polymer based core and methacrylate based Sealer. Group- III Teeth obturated with gutta percha and calcium silicate based sealer. Group IV Teeth obturated with gutta percha and zinc oxide eugenol based sealer. Group V Teeth instrumented and obturated with gutta percha without use of sealer (Positive control). Group VI – Teeth with no instrumentation or obturation (Negative control). Results: The mean fracture resistance values (in N) are Group I i.e. Epoxy resin root canal sealer – 286.06 N, Group II i.e. Methacrylate resin root canal sealer - 328.77N, Group III i.e. Calcium silicate based root canal sealer - 265.05N, Group IV i.e. Zinc oxide eugenol based root canal sealer - 269.85N, Group V i.e. Positive control (Obturated without root canal sealer) - 258.91N, Group VI i.e. Negative control (No instrumentation and obturation) - 285.41N. Conclusion: Among the root canal sealers; resin based root canal sealers showed higher resistance to fracture than non adhesive sealers