Does Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester as an Irrigation Solution Increase the Adhesive Quality of Root Canal Sealer?

Aim: To evaluate the effect of the caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) as a root canal irrigation agent on the push-out bond strength of the AH-Plus sealer. Materials and Methods: A total of 75 single-rooted teeth were decoronated and were randomly divided into 5 groups of 15 roots for irrigation protocols: Group NaOCl: 5.25 percent NaOCl; Group CAPE: 0.5 percent CAPE; Group NaOCl + ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA): 5.25 percent NaOCl-17 percent EDTA; Group NaOCl + CAPE: 5.25 percent NaOCl-0.5 percent CAPE; and Group CAPE + EDTA: 0.5 percent CAPE-17 percent EDTA (for 3 min each group). All root canals were then obturated and 1-mm-thick horizontal slices were obtained from different root thirds of the root canal (coronal, middle, and apical, respectively). The groups were challenged with push-out tests. Modes of failure were determined under a stereomicroscope. Results: The CAPE-EDTA-treated group presented the highest mean bond strength in the coronal region of root dentin (P < .05). The CAPE-treated group had a higher mean bond strength than the NaOCl-treated group (P < .05). The mixed mode of failure was most predominant in all groups. Conclusion: Under the presented in vitro conditions, CAPE alone or in combination with EDTA or NaOCl demonstrated a positive effect that increased the push-out bond strength of the AH-Plus sealer to root dentin.