Antimicrobial Activity and Flow Rate of Newer and Established Root Canal Sealers

Abstract

Endodontic sealers that possess both optimum flow ability and antimicrobial properties may theoretically assist in the elimination of microorganisms located in confined areas of the root canal system. The antimicrobial effects and the flow rate of the following sealers were investigated and compared: Kerr Pulp Canal Sealer EWT, Grossman's Sealer, ThermaSeal, Sealer 26, AH Plus, and Sealer Plus. The agar diffusion test was used to assess the antimicrobial activity of the sealers. In the flow assay, the sealers were placed between two glass slabs and a weight of 500 g was placed on the top of the glass. The diameters of the formed discs were recorded. All root canal sealers tested showed some antimicrobial activity against most of the microorganisms. There were no significant differences between the materials tested (p > 0.05). All root canal sealers also flowed under the conditions of this study. Statistical analysis of the results revealed that AH Plus and Kerr Pulp Canal Sealer EWT had flow values significantly superior to the other sealers tested (p > 0.05). Taken together, these findings suggest that these sealers have the potential to help in the microbial control in the root canal system.Endodontics is essentially a clinical discipline concerned with the prevention and control of the root canal infection. Cleaned and shaped root canals must be three-dimensionally filled, eliminating the empty space, which has the potential to be infected or reinfected. In addition, by creating a fluid-tight apical, lateral, and coronal seal, root canal fillings may confine residual initants within the root canal system, impeding their egress to the periradicular tissues. A fluid-tight seal of the root canal system also prevents both coronal recontamination by saliva and seeping of periradicular tissue fluids into the root canal, denying a nutrient supply to the remaining microorganisms. Therefore, root canal obturation plays an important role in both the prevention and control of endodontic infections (1).Most root canal filling techniques use core materials associated with endodontic sealers. Core obturating materials, such as guttapercha, usually occupy space, whereas the endodontic sealers enhance the possible attainment of an impervious seal by serving as a filler for canal irregularities and minor discrepancies between the root canal wall and the core material. Several properties are required to an ideal endodontic sealer (2). Among them sealing ability, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial activity probably influence the success of the root canal treatment (1).To create and maintain a three-dimensional seal of the entire root canal system, sealers should have adhesiveness, be dimensionally stable, be insoluble to oral and tissue fluids, and have an adequate flow rate. This latter property allows the material to penetrate into irregularities, isthmi fins and ramifications, which increases the likelihood of obtaining an adequate seal of the root canal system. Moreover, sealers that possess both optimum flow ability and a...

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