Filling ability of three variants of the single-cone technique with bioceramic sealer: a micro-computed tomography study

Abstract

The present study evaluated the quality of single-cone root canal fillings with bioceramic (BC) sealer using three different techniques by means of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). The canals of 30 extracted single-rooted permanent teeth were shaped with R40 Reciproc blue files and filled with the single-cone technique (SCT). BioRoot RCS BC sealer was placed inside the canals with one of the following master cones: R40 cone to working length (RWL, n = 10); R40 cone trimmed 1 mm short of working length (RWL-1, n = 10); non-standardized gutta-percha cone to working length (NSWL, n = 10). A quantitative and qualitative micro-CT analysis assessed the filling quality and internal/external voids formation. Collected data underwent statistical analysis by multivariate one-way analysis of variance (α = 0.05). In all groups, the voids were minimal and prevalently external. The NSWL and RWL-1 groups had increased sealer ratios in the whole canal and the apical canal portion, respectively. The lowest amounts of voids were found in the RWL group; the void volumes were slightly greater in the RWL-1 mm and NSWL groups, especially at the apical level. Two alternative SCTs showed satisfactory filling ability, uniform distribution of the BC sealer, and a minimally increased voids formation compared to the standard SCT with dedicated cone. The two tested alternative SCTs could take advantage of the beneficial characteristics of the BC sealer, which evenly filled the endodontic space, ideally sealing both the major and the accessory communications with the periodontium.

Sonic Activation Improves Bioceramic Sealer’s Penetration into the Tubular Dentin of Curved Root Canals: A Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy Investigation

“…Clinically, this finding is relevant, as coronal leakage occurs in a corono-apical fashion. Previous studies have shown an increased number of voids at the coronal aspect for single-cone techniques [33,34]. Hence, an increased sealer penetration at this level, as promoted by activation, may prevent tubular reinfection and limit the reservoir potential of coronal dentine for secondary endodontic infections.…”

Microcomputed Tomographic Assessment of the Single Cone Root Canal Fillings Performed by Undergraduate Student, Postgraduate Student and Specialist Endodontist

“…Different methods to evaluate the porosity and microleakage of the fillings, such as bacterial, glucose, radioactive isotope, or dye penetration tests, have been used with their significant limitations [ 37 ]. Recently, the microcomputed tomography was considered as the optimal, non-destructive method allowing quantify and qualify the high-resolution images in 2D and 3D [ 8 , 12 , 33 ]. Therefore, in our study, the assessment of the porosity of the SC fillings was performed using µCT imaging.…”

“…Therefore, the better obturation quality was achieved by students in a postgraduate endodontic program in comparison to undergraduates [ 27 ]. However, it has been claimed that the recently introduced a simplified single cone root canal obturation technique potentially can be less related to the clinical experience of the operator [ 12 , 33 ].…”

“…Microcomputed tomography (µCT) is a widely accepted, non-destructive method for the two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) assessment of the root canal fillings [ 12 , 33 ]. µCT imaging enables to assess the overall porosity of the material, porosity distribution, identify the type of the pores and using the specific software calculate volumetric values and parameters or visualize in 3D [ 8 , 15 , 17 ].…”

Porosity Distribution in Single Cone Root Canal Fillings Performed by Operators with Different Clinical Experience: A microCT Assessment

“…The main advantage of the µCT method is its nondestructiveness, repeatability, and high accuracy [17]. There are few published articles, evaluating the porosity of SC root-canal fillings [14,17,28]. However, there is no data about porosity distribution in the SC fillings, performed by operators with different competencies and clinical experience.…”