Scanning electron microscopy assessment of tubular penetration depth of root canal sealers combined with different obturation techniques

Background/Aim. The ability to effectively and consistently penetrate dentinal tubules is considered a favorable factor for the evaluation of root canal sealers (RCSs). The aim of the study was to assess the penetration depth into dentinal tu-bules of three RCSs combined with four obturation tech-niques. Methods. The mesial canals of 66 extracted human mandibular molars were endodontically prepared and ran-domly allocated into 12 experimental groups depending on the RCS type used (AH PlusTM, EndoREZTM, SealapexTM) as well as the obturation technique applied [cold lateral compac-tion, cone-fit, carrier-based (with heated gutta-percha), warm vertical compaction]. Using scanning electron microscopy, transversal root cross-sections were analyzed, and the maxi-mum depth of RCS penetration was measured (396 sections, in total, corresponded to the apical, middle, and coronary third). Results. Group AH PlusTM/warm vertical compaction yielded the highest penetration depth - 1,165 mu m, followed by EndoREZTM/cone-fit - 1,154 mu m; the lowest depth was measured for EndoREZTM/warm vertical compaction - 502 mu m. The mean value of the maximum penetration depth of RCS yielded 1,204 mu m in the coronary thirds, 1,005 mu m in the middle thirds, and 770 mu m in the apical thirds. The AH PlusTM RCS penetrated deeper into dentinal tubules when the obtu-ration techniques with heated gutta-percha were applied, while the opposite findings were obtained for the En-doREZTM RCS. Conclusion. According to our research, the RCS penetration depth appears to be influenced by the RCS type used, as well as the obturation technique applied.