The Effect of Different Final lrrigant Activation Techniques on the Bond Strength of an Epoxy Resin-based Endodontic Sealer: A Preliminary Study

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether or not different final irrigation activation techniques affect the bond strength of an epoxy resin based endodontic sealer (AH Plus; Dentsply De Trey, Konstanz, Germany) to the root canal walls of different root thirds. Methods: Eighty single-rooted human mandibular pre-molars were prepared by using the Pro Taper system (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) to size F4, and a final irrigation regimen using 3% sodium hypochlorite and 17% EDTA was performed. The specimens were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 20) according to the final irrigation activation technique used as follows: no activation (control), manual dynamic activation (MDA), Canal Brush (Coltene Whaledent, Altststten, Switzerland) activation, and ultrasonic activation. Five specimens from each group were prepared for scanning electron microscopic observation to assess the smear layer removal after the final irrigation procedures. All remaining roots were then obturated with gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer. A push-out test was used to measure the bond strength between the root canal dentin and AH Plus sealer. The data obtained from the push-out test were analyzed using 2-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc tests. Results: The bond strength values mostly decreased in the coronoapical direction (P < .001). In the coronal and middle thirds, ultrasonic activiation showed a higher bond strength than other groups (P < .05). In the apical third, MDA displayed the highest bond strength to root dentin (P < .05). The majority of specimens exhibited cohesive failures. Conclusions: The bond strength of AH Plus sealer to root canal dentin may improve with ultrasonic activation in the coronal and middle thirds and MDA in the apical third.