Effect of different chelating agents on the wettability of CeraSeal and AH Plus sealers to intraradicular dentin: An in vitro study

Abstract

Introduction: A good wettability of an endodontic sealer plays an important role in creating a fluid impervious seal within the root canal. The chelator employed during endodontic irrigation modifies the intraradicular dentin surface and alters the wettability of the sealer. Hence, the aim of the study is to evaluate and compare the effect of 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), 7% maleic acid (MA), and 9% hydroxyethylidene diphosphonic acid (HEDP) on the wettability of CeraSeal and AH Plus sealers. Materials and Methods: Forty-four single rooted premolars were decoronated followed by longitudinal sectioning into 88 halves. They were randomly allocated into 4 groups (n = 22) based on the irrigation regimen: Group I (2.5% sodium hypochlorite [NaOCl] +17% EDTA), Group II (2.5% NaOCl + 7% MA), Group III (2.5% NaOCl + 9% HEDP) and Group IV (2.5% NaOCl + distilled water). Each group was subdivided into two subgroups (n = 11) according to the type of sealer employed: CeraSeal sealer and AH Plus sealer. The contact angle was measured using contact angle telescope goniometer. Comparison between the sealers for each group was done using independent t-test and multiple comparisons of irrigants and sealers in various combinations were done using Two-way Analysis of Variance (P < 0.05). Results: The wettability of CeraSeal sealer on intraradicular dentin was the most favorable when 9% HEDP was employed as the final irrigant, whereas the wettability of AH Plus sealer on intra radicular dentin was most favorable with 7% MA as the final irrigant. AH Plus sealer showed better wettability than CeraSeal sealer in all the respective groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: AH Plus showed maximum wettability with 7% MA as the final irrigant, whereas, CeraSeal sealer showed the best wettability with 9% HEDP as the final irrigant.