Sealer adaptation in the dentinal tubules: a scanning electron microscopic study

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the adaptability of 3 different endodontic sealers to the root canal wall using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Methods: Thirty extracted human single-rooted teeth were randomly classified into three equal main groups according to the type of sealer used: Tech Biosealer Endo, Flavonoid-based experimental sealer and MTA-Fillapex sealer. All root canals in this study were obturated with gutta-percha using lateral condensation technique after preparing mix from each tested sealer. The samples were examined under SEM to determine two main aspects: Gap and Interface. Results: The result indicated that Tech Biosealer Endo had shown the best adaptation to canal walls at all root levels, followed by the MTA-Fillapex, and the most diminutive adaptation was seen in the Flavonoid-based experimental sealer. SEM showed the best adaptation for all tested sealers to root dentin was at the middle root level, followed by the apical root level, while the coronal root level showed the worst adaptation (p<.05). Conclusions: SEM analysis indicated that among the tested sealers, Tech Biosealer Endo achieved the best overall adaptability to root dentin, particularly at the middle root level. This suggests that sealer composition significantly influences the quality of the interface between the sealer and root canal walls, impacting the potential for successful endodontic treatment outcomes.