Cytotoxicity of endodontic sealers-a comparative study using L-929 mouse skin fibroblast cell response-an ex-vivo study

Aim: The objective of the present research was to evaluate and to compare the cytotoxicity of four commonly used endodontic sealers Apexit Plus, AH plus, Sankin, and Endofloss. The cytotoxicity was evaluated after setting of the sealers at different time intervals. Materials and Methods: Mouse skin fibroblasts L-929 was obtained from cell repository centre of national centre for cell science Pune, India. The cells were grown as monolayer cultures in Dulbeccos Modified eagle Medium (DMEM). Each of the test materials were mixed according to the manufactures instruction and was allowed to set. 0.1ml of each of the set sealers was placed in the petriplates in direct contact with the fibroblasts at 24 and 48 hrs intervals and evaluated for cytotoxicity. The percentage viability of the fibroblasts were calculated and evaluated statistically. Results: The statistical analysis revealed that Apexit Plus showed slight to moderate toxicity at 24 and 48 hrs, when compared with other sealers. Sankin showed maximum toxicity at all time intervals. Conclusion: All tested endodontic sealers demonstrated varying amount of cytotoxicity at different time intervals. Apexit Plus showed the least amount of cytotoxicity and Sankin showed the highest level of cytotoxicity.