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The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial activity and cytocompatibility of six different pulp-capping materials: Dycal (Dentsply), Calcicur (Voco), Calcimol LC (Voco), TheraCal LC (Bisco), MTA Angelus (Angelus), and Biodentine (Septodont). To evaluate antimicrobial activity, materials were challenged in vitro with Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus salivarius, and Streptococcus sanguis in the agar disc diffusion test. Cytocompatibility of the assayed materials towards rat MDPC-23 cells was evaluated at different times by both MTT and apoptosis assays. Results significantly differed among the different materials tested. Both bacterial growth inhibition halos and cytocompatibility performances were significantly different among materials with different composition. MTA-based products showed lower cytotoxicity and valuable antibacterial activity, different from calcium hydroxide-based materials, which exhibited not only higher antibacterial activity but also higher cytotoxicity.

BackgroundThe purpose of the present study was to compare the biological and the physico-chemical properties of bioceramic-based root canal sealers, calcium hydroxide-based, MTA-based and epoxy resin-based root canal sealers.Material and MethodsTwo bioceramic-based sealers, one calcium hydroxide-based sealer, one MTA-based sealer and two epoxy resin-based sealers were tested.ResultsEasySeal and MTA Fillapex showed severe citotoxic activity, AH Plus and SealapexTM moderate cytotoxicity, BioRoot™ RCS and TotalFill BC Sealer were both cytocompatible. Except for TotalFill BC Sealer, all root canal sealers caused inhibition zones when tested with E. faecalis. The highest inhibition zone was observed for EasySeal, followed by AH Plus. BioRoot™ RCS, SealapexTM and MTA Fillapex showed the lowest inhibition zone. All the tested materials showed different degree of antibacterial activity by using direct contact test (DCT). The highest values were observed for BioRoot™ RCS, TotalFill BC Sealer and EasySeal, followed by MTA Fillapex and SealapexTM. Except for BioRoot RCS and TotalFill BC Sealer, all the root canal sealers fulfilled the requirements of the ISO 6876 standard, demonstrating a weight loss less than 3%. Bioroot RCS, TotalFill BC Sealer and SealapexTM exhibited high alkaline pH with an increase both for BioRoot™ RCS and TotalFill BC Sealer after 24 hours.ConclusionsThe new bioceramic-based sealers showed acceptable physico-chemical properties, but BioRoot™ RCS and TotalFill BC Sealer seems to be too soluble, not respecting ISO 6876 requirements. Key words:Antibacterial activity, cytoxicity, pH, root canal sealers, solubility.

BackgroundThis study compared the solubility and the pH of different root canal sealers in vitro.Material and MethodsBioRoot™RCS, TotalFill BC Sealer, MTA Fillapex, SealapexTM, AH Plus, EasySeal, Pulp Canal Sealer™ and N2 were tested. Similar specimens were prepared using ring molds with an internal diameter of 20 ± 0,1 mm and a height of 1,5 ± 0,1 mm and digitally weighted to register the mass of each specimen before and after immersion in distilled water. Solubility was determined after 24 hours and statistically analysed using a one-way ANOVA test and post-hoc Tukey test. The pH value was measured by a digital pH meter after 3 and 24 hours from manipulation.ResultsBioRoot™RCS and TotalFill BC Sealer showed significantly higher solubility (P<0.05). All the remnant root canal sealers fulfilled the requirements of solubility of the International Standard Organization 6876 demonstrating a weight loss of less than 3%. BioRoot™RCS and Totalfill BC Sealer exhibited high alkaline pH over time (P<0.05); the alkalinity of the other tested cements was significantly lower.ConclusionsThe prolonged alkalinity of bioceramic sealer matched the increase in solubility. This may encourage their biological and antimicrobial effects, but the ongoing solubility may impact their ability to prevent apical leakage. Key words:pH, root canal sealers, solubility.

Introduction:The aim of this study is to evaluate the surface of root canals dentine using scanning electron microscope (SEM) after instrumentation with rotary Nickel-Titanium systems and two different protocols of activation of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) (extracanal heating at 50°C and intracanal heating at 180°C), to assess the presence/absence of smear layer and also the presence/absence of open dentinal tubules along the walls at the coronal, middle, and apical third of each sample.Materials and Methods:Thirty-six single-rooted teeth were selected, divided into three groups and shaped with ProTaper Universal instruments following irrigation protocols with 5.25% NaOCl. At the end of the preparation, three different protocols of activation were used: nonheated NaOCl in Group A, extra-canal heated NaOCl at 50°C for Group B and intracanal heated NaOCl at 180°C for Group C. Specimens were cut longitudinally and analyzed by SEM at standard magnification of ×1000. The presence/absence of the smear layer as well as the presence/absence of open tubules at the coronal, middle, and apical third of each canal were estimated using a five-step scale for scores. Numeric data were analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U statistical tests and significance was predetermined at P < 0.05.Results:Kruskal–Wallis analysis of variance (ANOVA) for debris score showed significant differences among the Ni-Ti systems (P < 0.05). Mann–Whitney test confirmed that Group A presented significantly higher score values than other Ni-Ti systems. The same results were assessed considering the smear layer scores. ANOVA confirmed that the apical third of the canal maintained a higher quantity of debris and smear layer after preparation of all the samples.Discussion and Conclusions:Intra-canal heating of NaOCl at 180°C proved to be more effective in obtaining clean canal walls. On the other hand, extra-canal heating at 50°C of NaOCl left a higher quantity of debris and the smear layer was widely represented.