The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiopacity of different gutta-percha points (Endo Points®, Dentsply®, Tanari®, Meta®, Roeko® and Odous®) in samples of 1 mm thick as established by ANSI/ADA Specification #57 and ISO 6876/2001, in comparison with thinner samples. Twelve test specimens for each material, four for each thickness (0.3, 0.6, and 1 mm and diameter of 8 mm), were laminated and compressed between two polished glass plates until the desirable thickness. Digital radiographs were obtained along with a graduated aluminum stepwedge varying from 1 to 10 mm in thickness. The X-ray unit was set at 70 kVp, 10 mA and 0.4 s exposure time, at a focal distance of 36 cm. One calibrated observer quantified the average values of pixels with Adobe Photoshop® software. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey tests, at 5% significance level. At 0.6 and 1 mm thickness, all the tested materials showed radiopacity higher than 3 mm of aluminum (reference value). At 0.3 mm thickness, Odous and Tanari presented significantly less radiopacity than the reference, and the other materials showed similar radiopacity to the reference. The study concluded that the materials demonstrated different radiopacities and all had values above the minimum recommended by ANSI/ADA specification #57, being Odous and Tanari less radiopaque than the reference value in thinner samples (0.3mm).

Aim:The aim of this study was to investigate whether time exposure of resin-based root canal sealers to organic solvents affects their solubility. Materials and methods: Standardized circular silicon moulds (4.47mm wide and 1.5mm high) were filled with four freshly mixed resin-based root canal sealers (Acroseal ® , Epiphany ® , AH Plus ® and Sealer 26 ® ) and stored at 37° for two weeks (n=8). After inspection, each sample was weighted thrice and individually immersed in Citrol ® , Endosolv R ® , 2.5% sodium hypochlorite or distilled water for 10, 120 and 1440 min. In the tested intervals, the mean weight loss of each filling material immersed in solvents was determined.Data were statistically analyzed by Two-way ANOVA, Bonferroni post hoc and Pearson tests (α=0.05). Results: Endosolv ® R was significantly more effective in dissolving Sealer26 ® than distilled water (control group), orange oil and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite. Citrol ® and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite showed the greatest potential to dissolve Sealer26 ® within 24 hours, compared to the control group. The weight losses between sealers immersed in sodium hypochlorite 2.5% were not statistically significant. Solubility was significantly correlated with exposure intervals only when Endosolv R ® (+0,829) or double-distilled water (+0,441) were applied. Conclusion: Dissolution of resin-based root canal sealers was affected by exposure interval and type of organic solvent used. Endosolv R® and longer exposure intervals promoted greater solubilization of the resin-based sealers tested.