Abstract
Background
Effective root canal obturation depends on intimate sealer adaptation to dentin, yet intracanal moisture at the time of obturation may alter sealer penetration according to material chemistry. Sealers with different chemical compositions may respond differently to residual intracanal moisture, particularly epoxy resin-based sealers and calcium silicate-containing resin-based sealers.Aim
Study evaluates effect of different intracanal moisture conditions on the penetration of MTA Fillapex and AH Plus in dentinal tubules utilising confocal laser scanning microscopy.Materials and methods
Thirty-six extracted single-rooted human teeth were decoronated and prepared to ProTaper Universal F3. Specimens were randomly assigned to six groups according to sealer type, AH Plus or MTA Fillapex, and moisture protocol, moist canal, ethanol-dried canal, or Endo Aspirator dried canal. Sealers were labelled with rhodamine B and obturation was performed using warm vertical compaction. After incubation at 37 °C and 100% humidity for 7 days, sections were obtained at 2 mm and 5 mm from apex. Depth of penetration of tubules dentinal was measured with laser confocal microcopy. Data were analyzed using three-way ANOVA and post hoc comparisons at α = 0.05.Results
Indicate that penetration levels 5 mm from apex were greater than that at 2 mm. AH Plus was able to penetrate more in ethanol-dried canals while MTA Fillapex exhibited maximum penetration in moist canals. Significant interactions were observed at the root level between sealer and moisture.Conclusion
Moisture impacted the penetrating depth of sealers into dentinal tubules. MTA Fillapex was favored by moist canals and AH Plus by ethanol-drying.