Scanning electron microscopic analysis of the sealing ability of 3 endodontic sealers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine sealing ability of 3 endodontic sealers to dentinal walls and gutta-percha using scanning electron microscopic analysis (SEM). The sealing ability of endodontic sealers to dentinal walls of the root canal was assessed in recently extracted human anterior teeth. 18 teeth were prepared with step back technique and irrigated with 2.5% NaOCl and 3% hydrogen peroxide. Teeth were divided into 3 groups in accordance to the sealer used for root canal obturation: AH 26 (Dentsply, De Trey, Germany), Sankin Type II (Sankin Industry, Japan) and Sealapex (Kerr, USA). The sealing ability and adhesion properties on the sealer-dentin interface were studied using SEM. Results were rated from 1 to 3: 1 - extremely good adhesion; 2 - good adhesion; 3 - relatively good adhesion. The results showed extremely good adhesion on the AH 26-dentin interface and good adhesion of AH 26 to the gutta-percha cones. Sankin Type II showed a good adhesion to the dentinal walls and gutta-percha cones, and Sealapex showed a relatively good adhesion to the canal walls and also a relatively good adhesion to the gutta-percha cones.