The comparison of microbial leakage in roots filled with resilon and gutta-percha: An in vitro study

Abstract

Background and Objective:The objective of this study was to compare bacterial leakage using streptococcus mutans through gutta-percha and a thermoplastic synthetic polymer based root canal filling material (Resilon) using two filling techniques.Materials and Methods:A total of 90 single-rooted extracted human teeth were subjected for the study. Teeth were divided into 6 groups of 10 and 3 control groups of 10 teeth each. All the samples were decoronated and the coronal surfaces of the roots were prepared perpendicular to the long axis of the root with a high-speed handpiece and a multipurpose bur using air water spray. The length of all the roots was prepared approximately 16 mm from the coronal surface to the apex of the root. Roots were filled using lateral and vertical condensation techniques with gutta-percha and AH26 sealer (Group 1 and 2) or with gutta-percha and epiphany sealer (Group 3 and 4). Group 5 and 6 were filled with Resilon and epiphany sealer using the lateral and vertical condensation techniques. A split chamber microbial leakage model was used in which S. mutans placed in the upper chamber could reach the lower chamber only through the filled root canal. Group 7 and 8 (positive control) were filled with Resilon and gutta-percha without sealer and tested with bacteria, whereas Group 7 (negative control) was sealed with wax to test the seal between the chambers. Data were analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis test and Mann–Whitney U test.Results:All positive groups (Group 7 and 8) showed leakage within 1 hour of the start of the study (100%), whereas none of the negative control (Group 9) leaked. The roots obturated with Resilon and epiphany (Group 5 and 6) showed minimal leakage, i.e., each with 6 leakages, which was significantly less than gutta-percha (Group 1–4), in which approximately 80% of specimens with either sealer or techniques leaked. Kruskal–Wallis test showed statistical significance when all groups were compared (P<0.05). Mann–Whitney U test compared the respective groups and found Resilon groups superior to gutta-percha groups (P<0.05).Interpretation and Conclusion:This study demonstrated that the new polymer-based Resilon and epiphany sealer using two obturating techniques, i.e., lateral as well as vertical condensation found to be significantly better than the gutta-percha.

Bacterial entombment by intratubular mineralization following orthograde mineral trioxide aggregate obturation: a scanning electron microscopy study

“…Gutta-percha used with sealers fail to seal the dentinal wall. 4 Although the resin-based sealers in Resilon could effectively penetrate the dentinal tubules in moist dentin, they are still susceptible to the effects of matrix metalloproteinase in the dentin matrix. 21,22 In contrast, MTA has been shown to resist leakage at a higher rate when placed in a moist environment such as the root canal system.…”

“…However, previous studies showed that current root canal obturation materials such as gutta-percha and/or polymer-based materials cannot provide a bacteria-tight seal. 3,4,5,6 …”

An in-vitro comparative study for assessment of apical sealing ability of Epiphany/AH Plus sealer with Resilon/gutta-percha root canal filling materials

“…Various in-vitro studies showed that gutta-percha fillings leak at a rapid rate[ 15 16 ] and do not result in a dependable seal over a long term period. [ 17 ] In this study, it was found that the gutta-percha leakage increased with time whereas Resilon + Epiphany not only produced a superior seal but also maintained it over all time intervals. Studies have been conducted previously comparing the physical properties of gutta-percha and Resilon which observed that the shrinkage of Resilon is only 0.5% after application of heat when compared with gutta-percha, which shrinks 5–7%.…”

Dissolving Efficacy of Different Endodontic Solvents For Gutta Percha With Varying Time Intervals

“…13 Xylene is an aromatic organic solvent and allows better control of gutta percha during removal as it slowly softens rather than dissolve gutta percha. 14,15 This can be accomplished by placing a cotton pellet dipped in the material inside the pulp chamber and removing the gutta percha on the following visit. This holds especially true for aged gutta percha as it tends to get very hard and difficult to remove.…”