Evaluation of Dissolving Effect of Chloroform on Three Root Canal Sealers: An In Vitro Study

Abstract

<p class="AbstractContent"><strong>Objective</strong>: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the dissolving effect of chloroform on AH 26 (resin-based root canal sealer), Endofill (zinc oxide eugenol-based root canal sealer) and Sealapax (calcium hydroxide-based root canal sealer). Many previous literatures have compared the solubility of several solvents towards gutta percha but very few on endodontic sealers.</p><p class="AbstractContent"><strong>Methods</strong>: The materials used in this experiment apart from the three endodontic sealers are 30 standardized stainless-steel rings, microscopic glass slide, chloroform, acetone, and three decimal digital weighing scales. Thirty standardized stainless steel rings 8mm in diameter and 3mm in height were used for the preparation of sealer specimens and were randomly divided into three experimental groups of ten rings each. Each sealer was then mixed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and introduced into the stainless-steel rings and was weighed to obtain the initial weight. Each sealer was weighed again after immersion in chloroform. The amount of sealer lost was the difference between this measurement and the original weight of the sealer. The results were tabulated and analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA).</p><p class="AbstractContent"><strong>Results</strong>: The ANOVA test showed that there were significant differences existed between the groups. The post-hoc (Bonferroni) test showed that AH26 had significantly greater dissolution than Sealapex. However, there were no significant differences in dissolution between AH26 vs. Endofill and Sealapex vs. Endofill.</p><p class="AbstractContent"><strong>Conclusion:</strong> According to the methodology proposed and based on the results of this study, it may be concluded that AH26 presented the highest dissolution value.</p>