Effect of immersion in distilled water or phosphate‐buffered saline on the solubility, volumetric change and presence of voids within new calcium silicate‐based root canal sealers

Subcutaneous Implantation Assessment of New Calcium-Silicate Based Sealer for Warm Obturation

Calcium silicate-based sealers were recently introduced as a new class of endodontic sealers, with potential further benefits due to their bioactivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of two new hydraulic calcium silicate-based sealers, TotalFill BC Sealer (FKG, La Chaux-des-Fonds, Switzerland) and TotalFill BC Sealer HiFlow (FKG, La Chaux-des-Fonds, Switzerland) through subcutaneous implantation in connective tissue of rats. Subcutaneous implantation was performed in 16 young Wistar rats. Four polyethylene tubes were implanted in each animal, one empty to serve as a control, and three filled with tested sealers: AH Plus as reference (Dentsply DeTrey, Konstanz, Germany), TotalFill BC Sealer (BC) and TotalFill BC Sealer HiFlow (HiFlow). Eight rats were euthanized at 8 days and the remaining eight at 30 days. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to score the inflammatory reaction, macrophage infiltrate and to measure the thickness of the fibrous capsule. von Kossa staining was performed to evaluate the mineralization level. Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn's post hoc test was used to analyze non-parametric data. To analyze the influence of the implantation time within each material, a Mann-Whitney U test was performed. At eight days post-implantation, AH Plus induced a more intense inflammatory reaction when compared both with the control (p ≤ 0.001) and BC (p ≤ 0.01). HiFlow presented a higher score of macrophage infiltrate than control (p ≤ 0.01) and BC (p ≤ 0.05). The fibrous capsule thickness in this period was significantly higher for the BC group when compared to control (p ≤ 0.01) and AH Plus (p ≤ 0.05). The mineralization potential was higher for the HiFlow group when compared with the control (p ≤ 0.001) and AH Plus (p ≤ 0.001). At 30 days post-implantation, the score for the inflammatory reaction remained higher for the AH Plus group when compared both to control (p ≤ 0.01) and BC (p ≤ 0.001). The macrophage infiltrate of the HiFlow was significantly higher than control (p ≤ 0.001) and AH Plus groups (p ≤ 0.01), additionally, the fibrous capsule of the BC (p ≤ 0.001) and HiFlow (p ≤ 0.01) groups were both thicker than control. Mineralization potential was observed only on BC (p ≤ 0.05) and HiFlow groups (p ≤ 0.001), when compared to control). BC exhibited the best biocompatibility performance of all tested sealers and HiFlow provided the greatest induction of mineralized tissues. Both TotalFill BC Sealer and TotalFill BC Sealer HiFlow are biocompatible and show potential bioactivity when implanted in the subcutaneous tissue. Bioactivity was not found in AH Plus.

Micro-CT evaluation of filling of flattened root canals using a new premixed ready-to-use calcium silicate sealer by single-cone technique

The aim of this study was to evaluate the filling ability of a new premixed ready-to-use calcium silicate-based sealer, in comparison with an epoxy resin-based sealer by the single-cone technique in flattened root canals. Thirty-two flattened root canals of maxillary second premolars with buccal-lingual diameter 4 or more times larger than the mesio-distal diameter at 9 mm from the radiographic apex were selected. Root canals were prepared using Hyflex EDM 25/0.08 and additional preparation with ultrasonic tip Flatsonic and ProDesign Logic 25/0.03. After preparation, the root canals were filled with two root canal sealers (n = 16): Bio-C Sealer or AH Plus using the single-cone technique. Scanning was performed before and after root canal obturation using a Skycan 1176 micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) with an isotropic voxel size of 8.74 μm. The percentage of voids was analyzed in the cervical/middle thirds and in the apical third. Data were submitted to the Mann-Whitney test at a significance level of 5%. There was no statistical difference between Bio-C Sealer and AH Plus (p > .05). The percentage of voids in the cervical/middle thirds was 8.94% (1.33-39.95) for Bio-C Sealer and 9.30% (1.19-18.00) for AH Plus (p > .05). In the apical third, this percentage was 11.84% (4.85-27.00) for Bio-C Sealer and 9.21% (1.34-28.78) for AH Plus (p > .05). By using the single-cone technique, neither Bio-C Sealer nor AH Plus provided a voids-free root canal filling. Both sealers had similar filling ability in flattened root canals.

Calcium hydroxide paste removal strategies and bond strengths of epoxy- and silicate-based sealers

This study evaluated the syringe/needle (SN), passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) and XP-endo Finisher (XP) in the removal of Ca(OH)₂ -based paste and the bond strength (BS) values of an epoxy resin (AH Plus) and silicate (MTA)-based sealers to root dentin. Eighty lower premolars were assigned: control group (CT), SN, PUI and XP, and subdivided according to the sealer (n = 10) for BS. SN has the lowest removal followed by PUI and XP. AH Plus had higher BS for CT compared with SN in all root thirds. CT and XP presented similar BS in the apical and middle thirds and higher than SN and PUI. For MTA, similar BS was observed in the cervical and apical thirds, and in the middle third, CT, PUI and XP presented similar values and higher than SN. PUI and XP methods presented higher efficiency in the Ca(OH)₂ removal, and the residual Ca(OH)₂ provides a reduction in BS of the AH Plus.

Filling Ability and Flow of Root Canal Sealers: A Micro-Computed Tomographic Study

This study evaluated by micro-computed tomography (μCT) the filling ability in curved root canals, besides the flow of AH Plus (AHP) and Neo MTA Plus (NMTAP) sealers using different methodologies. Mandibular molars mesial roots with two root canals and degree of curvature between 20° and 40° were selected. The specimens were prepared with the ProDesign R system up to size 35.05 and were filled with the sealers by a continuous wave of condensation technique, Thermo Pack II (n=12). The teeth were scanned using μCT after root canal preparation and obturation. The volumetric percentage of filling material and voids were calculated. Flow was evaluated based on ISO 6876/2012 (n=10). Flow and filling were also evaluated in μCT using a glass plate with a central cavity and four grooves from the central cavity (n=6). Flow was linearly calculated into the grooves. The central cavity filling (CCF) and lateral cavity filling (LCF) were calculated in mm³. Data were submitted to non-paired t test with a significance threshold at 5%. The percentage of filling and voids between the root canals filled with AHP or NMTAP was similar (p>0.05). NMTAP presented the lowest flow in conventional test (p<0.05). Using μCT, sealers had similar CCF, LCF and linear flow (p>0.05). In conclusion, NMTAP and AHP had similar filling ability in curved mesial root canals of mandibular molars without presence of isthmus. Although AHP presented better flow than NMTAP using ISO methodology, there was no difference between these materials regarding volumetric filling when evaluated by μCT.

Analysis of the physicochemical properties, cytotoxicity and volumetric changes of AH Plus, MTA Fillapex and TotalFill BC Sealer

Background

To evaluate the physicochemical properties and cytotoxicity of AH Plus, MTA Fillapex and TotalFill BC Sealer. Volumetric changes were also evaluating using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT).

Material and Methods

Radiopacity and flow were evaluated in accordance with the ISO 6876, while setting time was evaluated in accordance with the ASTM- C266-08 specifications. The release of Ca2+ ions and pH were measured with spectrophotometer and pH meter, respectively, after different time intervals (1h, 3h, 24h, 72h, 168h, and 360h). Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT reduction assay to check 3T3 cells viability at 24, 48 and 72 hours. Volumetric change was evaluated by micro-CT, by using 30 acrylic teeth, filled with gutta-percha cones and the tested root canal sealer. The samples were evaluated after 168h, 360h and 720h of immersion in distilled water. Data were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey test or by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests (P<0.05).

Results

MTA Fillapex and TotalFill BC Sealer showed lower radiopacity than AH Plus (P<0.05). The MTA Fillapex showed the highest flow, while AH Plus showed the lowest flow (P<0.05). The initial and final setting time of AH Plus were lower than MTA Fillapex and TotalFill BC Sealer (P<0.05). In general, TotalFill BC Sealer presented higher Ca2+ ion release and pH than the other tested sealers. TotalFill BC Sealer also showed overall lower cytotoxicity when compared to the other sealers. Volumetric change of AH Plus and TotalFill BC Sealer was lower than MTA Fillapex (P<0.05).

Conclusions

AH Plus, MTA Fillapex and TotalFill BC Sealer showed slight differences in the physicochemical properties and cytotoxicity, but all suitable for an endodontic sealer. However, AH Plus and TotalFill BC Sealer showed low volumetric changes when compared to MTA Fillapex.

Key words:Calcium silicate, cytotoxicity, physicochemical properties, micro computed tomography.

Micro-computed tomographic evaluation of a new system for root canal filling using calcium silicate-based root canal sealers

Objectives

This study evaluated by using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) the filling ability and sealer apical extrusion promoted by a new Sealer Injection System (SIS; Angelus) with side openings needle, in comparison with the conventional injection system, associated with a new ready-to-use calcium silicate-based sealer (Bio-C Sealer).

Materials and Methods

Acrylic resin models containing a main curved artificial canal and 3 simulated lateral canals in apical, middle and cervical thirds were used. The main root canals were prepared using a rotary system up to size 35.05. The canals were filled with Bio-C sealer by using a single cone technique and the conventional delivery system or SIS. Samples were scanned in micro-CT. The percentage of voids throughout the entire extension of the main root canal and in each third of the lateral canals, besides the apical extrusion of the sealer was calculated. Data were submitted to t-test (p < 0.05).

Results

There was no difference between both systems in the main root canals filling. Although the volume percentage of voids was similar in the apical and middle thirds of lateral canals, SIS had the greatest filling ability of the cervical third lateral canal. Moreover, the conventional system showed the highest apical extrusion of the sealer.

Conclusions

The conventional and SIS obturation systems had an appropriate filling ability of the main root canal. SIS had the best filling of the cervical third of the lateral canals, besides lower sealer apical extrusion, suggesting its clinical indication.