ADAPTATION AND PENETRATION OF THREE DIFFERENT ROOT CANAL SEALERS WITH SINGLE CONE OBTURATION TECHNIQUE: A SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDY (AN IN VITRO STUDY)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Obturation materialswith superior adaptation and sealing capacity are crucial for root canal treatment success. OBJECTIVE: To compare adaptation and tubular penetration depth of three different sealers (Ceraseal, AH Plus and Endofill)with single cone obturation technique using scanning electron microscope (SEM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six extracted single canaled mandibular premolar teeth were decoronated and prepared using ProTaper Universal rotary files till F3. Teeth were randomly divided into three groups according to sealer type used: Group I: Ceraseal (Bioceramic), Group II: AH Plus (Resin), Group III: Endofill (Zinc Oxide Eugenol). All roots were obturated with a single F3 cone with one of the assigned sealers. Teeth were sectioned into threethirds horizontally and analyzed for sealer adaptation and penetration using SEM. RESULTS: Regarding sealer adaptation,roots filled with AH Plus showed better adaptation (less mean gap sizes) than other sealers in the three canal thirdsand the least mean gap sizes were recorded in the apical third in all groups. Along the complete canal length,a significant difference was found between AH Plus group and other groups (P <0.0001).Regarding tubular penetration depth, Ceraseal showed greater mean penetration depth in the middle and apical thirds than other sealers. However, along complete canal length, no significant difference was found between Ceraseal and AH Plus groupswith a significant difference noted between both groups and Endofillgroup (P <0.0001). CONCLUSION: Single cone obturation with AH Plus and Ceraseal could result in significant better adaptation and tubular penetration than Endofill sealer.