The Influence Of Filling Technique On Depth Of Tubule Penetration By Root Canal Sealer: A Study Using Light Microscopy And Digital Image Processing

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the depth of sealer penetration into dentinal tubules by three root-filling techniques using light microscopy and digital image processing. Thirty-two maxillary central incisors were prepared. Two teeth were separated for the control group. The rest were divided into three equal groups and obturated as following--G1: lateral condensation; G2: warm vertical compaction of gutta-percha and G3: Thermafil system. Each sample was sectioned longitudinally and prepared for microscopic analysis. A sequence of photomicrographs with magnifications of X50, X200 and X500 were taken. Through digital image analysis and processing, measurements for each field were obtained. A non-parametric ANOVA Kruskal-Wallis analysis was used to determine whether there were significant differences among the groups. Significant differences between G2 and G1 (p = 0.034) and between G3 and G1 (p = 0.021) were identified. There were no significant differences between G2 and G3 (p > 0.05). The results of this research suggest that samples root-filled by thermoplasticised gutta-percha techniques lead to deeper penetration of the root canal sealer into the dentinal tubules.

Epoxy Resin-Based Root Canal Sealer Penetration into Dentin Tubules Does not Improve Root Filling Dislodgement Resistance

“…In the present study, the results for sealer penetration into dentin varied from 1.45% to 45.98%, which can be regarded as a consequence of uncontrolled dentin permeability ( Figure 1). Enhanced sclerotic dentin in the apical third, especially in older adults, may negatively impact sealer penetration into the dentin tissue (10,18,20). Even though dentin permeability was not controlled in this study and could have been responsible for the large variation in the results, the reliability of the correlation was not affected since the data regarding the variability of the force required to dislodge a root canal filling should agree with the variability in the sealer penetration.…”

“…This improves upon the traditional SEM analysis since it is possible to determine the total amount of sealer penetration into the dentin tubules (5,(20)(21)(22)(23) while avoiding the drying process and alcohol dehydration required when using the conventional high-vacuum SEM, which might result in loss of the root canal sealer (20). CLSM provides observations under environmental conditions with no special specimen processing, resulting in a lower production of technique artifacts (24)(25)(26).…”

Sealer Penetration and Adaptation in the Dentinal Tubules: A Scanning Electron Microscopic Study

“…The sealer penetration depth in the dentinal tubules depends on many factors like smear layer removal (19), dentinal permeability (the number and the diameter of tubules), root canal dimension, and the physical and chemical properties of the sealer (20)(21)(22). The flow is one of the main chemical/physical factors to influence the Basic Research-Technology tubular penetration and is defined as the ability of a sealer to penetrate in irregularities, lateral canals, or dentinal tubules of the root canal system (23).…”

Effects of Different Final Irrigating Solutions on Depth of Sealer Penetration into Dentinal Tubules: An in vitro Confocal Laser Microscopic Study

“…De deus et al 27 explained that the sealer penetration depth in the dentinal tubules also depends on various factors like dentinal permeability (the number and the diameter of tubules), root canal dimension, and the physical and chemical properties of the sealer. The flow is one of the main chemical/physical factors to influence the adaptation to the tubular penetration.…”