J Korean Acad Conserv Dent.  2007 Sep;32(5):419-425. 10.5395/JKACD.2007.32.5.419.

Evaluation of the radiopacity and cytotoxicity of resinous root canal sealers

• Kim CK
• Ryu HW
• Chang HS
• Lee BD
• Min KS
• Hong CU

• KMID: 2175933
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5395/JKACD.2007.32.5.419

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiopacity and cytotoxicity of three resin-based (AH 26, EZ fill and AD Seal), a zinc oxide-eugenol-based (ZOB Seal), and a calcium hydroxide-based (Sealapex) root canal sealers. Specimens, 10 mm in diameter and 1 mm in thickness, were radiographed simultaneously with an aluminum step wedge using occlusal films, according to ISO 6876/2001 standards. Radiographs were digitized, and the radiopacity of sealers was compared to the different thicknesses of the aluminum step wedge, using the Scion image software. Using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, the cytotoxicity of each material was determined in immortalized human periodontal ligament (IPDL) cells. The results demonstrated that EZ fill was the most radiopaque sealer, while Sealapex was the least radiopaque (p < 0.05). AH 26, AD Seal and ZOB Seal presented intermediate radiopacity values. All the materials evaluated, except for Sealapex, presented the minimum radiopacity required by ISO standards. The cell viabilities of resin-based root canal sealers were statistically higher than that of other type of root canal sealers through the all experimental time. Further, EZ fill showed statistically lower cell viability in 24 and 48 hours compared to AD Seal and in 72 hours compared to all other resin-based root canal sealers. However, there was no correlation between the radiopacity and cytotoxicity of three resin-based root canals sealers (p > 0.05). These results indicate that resin-based root canal sealer is more biocompatible and has advantage in terms of radiopacity.

Keyword

Radiopacity; Cytotoxicity; Root canal sealer; MTT assay; Aluminum step wedge; Immortalized human periodontal ligament cell

MeSH Terms

Aluminum
Calcium
Cell Survival
Dental Pulp Cavity*
Humans
Periodontal Ligament
Zinc
Aluminum
Calcium
Zinc

Figure

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  Figure 1 A. Occlusal film, specimens, and aluminum step wedge. B. Radiograph showing the radiopacity of each material and its equivalence to that of the aluminum step wedge.

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  Figure 2 Relative radiographic density of each material in comparison with that of a 10-step aluminum step wedge with thickness varying from 1 mm to 10 mm. Each point and bar represents the mean ± standard deviation (SD). Groups identified by the different symbols are significantly different (p < 0.05). (AH: AH 26, AD: AD Seal, EZ: EZ fill, ZB: ZOB Seal, SP: Sealapex)

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  Figure 3 Effects of various root canal sealers on immortalized human periodontal ligament cells measured by MTT assay. Each point and bar represents the mean ± SD. Groups identified by the same symbols in each experimental time are not significantly different (p > 0.05). (AH: AH 26, AD: AD Seal, EZ: EZ fill, ZB: ZOB Seal, SP: Sealapex)

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