The biocompatibility, penetrability, sealing ability, and antibacterial properties of iRoot SP compared to AH plus: An In Vitro evaluation

Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the biocompatibility, penetrability, sealing ability, and antibacterial properties of iRoot SP compared to AH Plus in root canal filling.

Design

Two types of iRoot SP and AH Plus were used for in vivo evaluation. The solubility of sealers was tested according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Cell Counting kit-8 was performed for biocompatibility analysis. To evaluate the sealing efficacy, 27 extracted human single-rooted teeth were treated with the single-cone obturation technique. The penetrability was analyzed using confocal laser scanning microscope and the sealing ability was assessed through micro-computed tomography. The biofilm of Enterococcus faecalis was formed on the coagulated root canal sealers to determine the antibacterial properties by colony-forming units and scanning electronic microscopy.

Results

All sealers exhibited standard solubility (<3 %). The biocompatibility of the three root canal sealers was excellent with no statistically significant differences compared to the control group (P > 0.05). The penetrability of both iRoot SP variants was greater than that of AH Plus, especially in the apical third of teeth (P < 0.001). No significant differences in sealing efficacy among the sealers were observed (P > 0.05). IRoot SP also reduced Enterococcus faecalis counts and inhibited the biofilm formation compared to AH Plus (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

IRoot SP exhibited good biocompatibility. It has superior penetrability and enhanced antibacterial properties compared to AH Plus, but shown no difference in sealing ability, warranting further in vivo studies and long-term assessments. The research underscores the strong potential of bioceramic sealers for clinical applications.