The use of glass ionomer as a root canal sealer—a pilot study

Abstract

The use of a resin-based glass ionomer as an endodontic sealer was studied in vitro. The root canals of extracted single-rooted human teeth with mature apices were prepared using a stepback technique. Subsequently, the smear layer was removed with 40% citric acid and the canals obturated using lateral condensation of cold gutta-percha and a resin-based glass ionomer as the sealer. The relationship between the sealer and the wall of the root canal was studied using scanning electron microscopy. The shear bond strength of gutta-percha to this glass ionomer was also determined. Finally, the uptake of fluoride into the wall of the root canal was studied using scanning electron microprobe analysis after storage for 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months following root filling with gutta-percha and glass ionomer cement. The results showed that removal of the smear layer allowed the sealer to enter some of the dentinal tubules. This was observed most frequently in the middle third of the root canal, where there was good adaptation of the sealer. The shear bond strength of gutta-percha to the glass ionomer sealer was not significantly different from that obtained between gutta-percha and a proprietary zinc oxide-eugenol endodontic sealer. The concentration of fluoride in the dentine in the coronal part of the root canal increased after obturation with gutta-percha and the glass ionomer sealer at every time interval. The increase in fluoride concentration varied widely between teeth. It is concluded that a resin-based glass ionomer cement may have potential as a root canal sealer.

Ex vivo study of the efficacy of H‐files and rotary Ni–Ti instruments to remove gutta‐percha and four types of sealer

“…Furthermore it should be remembered that adhesion of glass-ionomer sealers, as well as resin-based sealers, to dentine depends on the pre-treatment of dentine (Miletic et al 1999). Thus, the results of the present study could have been affected by the removal of the smear layer that had taken place with the use of 15% EDTA gel and 2.5% NaOCl solution, probably by increasing penetration of the sealer into the dentinal tubules (Saunders et al 1992).…”

“…1999). Thus, the results of the present study could have been affected by the removal of the smear layer that had taken place with the use of 15% EDTA gel and 2.5% NaOCl solution, probably by increasing penetration of the sealer into the dentinal tubules (Saunders et al. 1992).…”

Comparative investigation of two rotary nickel–titanium instruments: ProTaper versus RaCe. Part 2. Cleaning effectiveness and shaping ability in severely curved root canals of extracted teeth

“…1994). Moreover, the smear layer might compromise the complete sealing of the root canal (Petschelt et al . 1987, Saunders et al .…”

The shear bond strength of glass ionomer cement sealers to bovine dentine conditioned with common endodontic irrigants

“…The conventional root filling consists of a gutta‐percha core and a sealer, usually based on zinc‐oxide eugenol or epoxy resin. More recently, glass ionomer cement (GIC) has been modified for use as a root canal sealer ( Stewart 1990, Ray & Seltzer 1991, Saunders et al . 1992 ).…”