Sealability of the Trifecta™ technique in the presence or absence of a smear layer

Abstract

The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the sealability of a recently introduced thermoplasticized gutta-percha technique (Trifecta, Hygenic Corp., OH, USA) in the presence or absence of a smear layer. A total of 100 teeth with single straight root canals were included in the study. The teeth were decoronated and the canals prepared with a modified double-flared technique under constant irrigation with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite solution. The apical matrix was prepared to size 40 and apical patency subsequently confirmed with a size 10 file. Four teeth were discarded for technical reasons and the remaining 96 allocated randomly into two groups of 44 teeth and a group of eight teeth which acted as controls. Canals in group 1 were obturated randomly with either cold lateral condensation of gutta-percha or with the Trifecta technique. Canals in Group 2 were rinsed with 17% REDTA to remove the smear layer and then obturated with lateral condensation or the Trifecta technique. All teeth were suspended in India ink for 9 days, demineralized, and rendered transparent prior to the assessment of apical linear dye penetration. Apical extrusion of sealer and gutta-percha occurred commonly but there was no significant difference between the four obturation groups. However, overall, there was significantly more extrusion of sealer with the Trifecta technique compared with lateral condensation (P < 0.05). The majority of canals (79 out of 88) had no evidence of apical leakage and there was no significant difference between the groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Microbial leakage of MTA, Portland cement, Sealapex and zinc oxide-eugenol as root-end filling materials

“…It is important to report that smear layer removal by EDTA promotes an increase in dentinal permeability, which has a positive influence on microbial leakage. These results are in agreement with previous investigations which found that removal of smear layer did not enhance the sealing ability (26,27). On the other hand, some studies indicated that the smear layer can act as a barrier to microbial metabolities, preventing microbial invasion into dentinal tubules (28).…”

Bacterial Penetration After Obturation With Four Different Root Canal Sealers

“…Numerous studies have attempted to assess in vitro leakage (4,11,(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23). However, there is a great deal of variability in the results and minimal consensus as to the most appropriate method to assess leakage (13,24,25).…”

Effect of Smear Layer on Sealing Ability of Canal Obturation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…Among 44 comparisons, the results of two papers with 4 comparisons, Lloyd et al (30) and Goya et al (33) were not included in the meta-analysis process, because they did not report a valid mean and standard deviation. In addition, one of the comparisons of the Evans and Simon (13) article reported a zero mean and SD, which was automatically excluded from the calculations.…”