Objectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the dentinal tubule penetration of three different sealers, AH Plus, BC Sealer and a novel tricalcium silicate sealer (NTS).
Materials and methods: Ninety-six human maxillary central incisors were divided into three experimental groups (n = 32) and were filled with gutta-percha using a single-cone technique in conjunction with one of the three sealers: AH Plus, BC Sealer or NTS. The roots in each group were cross-sectioned at 1 and 5 mm from the root apex, and the surfaces were examined under confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The sealer penetration depths were measured at their maximum depths and at four circumferential depths (12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock) and were evaluated using ImageJ software (ImageJ, NIH).
Results: The maximum and mean penetration depths were significantly higher at 5 mm compared to 1 mm from the apex in the AH Plus (p < 0.001), BC Sealer (p < 0.001) and NTS groups (p < 0.001). No significant difference was observed between the groups at 1 mm for both parameters. The maximum and mean penetration depths were significantly lower at 5 mm for AH Plus compared with the other two groups (p = 0.012).
Conclusions: Within the study limitations, the BC Sealer and NTS demonstrated better tubule penetration results than the AH Plus sealer.
Clinical relevance: Although no study has confirmed a relationship between the penetration depth of root canal sealers and the prevention of apical periodontitis, dentinal tubule sealer penetration may improve obturation quality.
Keywords: AH Plus; BC Sealer; Confocal laser scanning microscopy; NTS; Tubule penetration.