Scanning Electron Microscopic Evaluation of Marginal Adaptation of Three Endodontic Sealers: An Ex-Vivo Study

Introduction: To avoid the entry of micro-organism or their products, sealer should completely adapt to the root canal wall so that no gaps will be present. AH plus is the most routinely used sealer. EndoRez is methacrylate resin-based self as well as light cured sealer. Endosequence BC RCS is the recently introduced bioceramic based sealer.

Aim: To evaluate the marginal adaptation of Endosequence BS RCS, EndoRez and AH plus as a root canal sealer to root dentin under electron scanning microscope.

Methods: Total 75 freshly extracted permanent maxillary central incisors with single canal were included in this study. All the teeth were decoronated till twelve millimeter and access cavity was prepared. All the teeth were prepared with rotary protaper till# F3 with intermediate copious irrigation with 3% sodium hypochlorite and 17%EDTA.Teeth were randomly divided into three groups according to sealers and were obturated- Endosequence BC RCS, Ah Plus and EndoRez. Access cavity was restored with glass ionomer type II in all the groups. After seven days, teeth were vertically sectioned and evaluated under electron scanning microscope for marginal adaptation.

Results: Marginal gaps were present in all groups. Maximum number of gaps were present in Ah plus group. Endosequence BC RCS group showed least number of gaps.

Discussion: Marginal adaptation of sealer depends upon the properties like flow, viscosity, presence or absence of smear layer etc. Better adaptation of Endosequence BC RCS to root dentin is due to formation of mineral infiltration zone which results in formation of calcific tags in dentine.

Conclusion: Within the limitation of present study, newly introduced Endosequence BC RCS showed better marginal adaptability to root dentine. Further studies are required to evaluate and corelate these findings with other properties of these sealers.