Evaluating the Sealing Performance of Endodontic Sealers: Insights Into Achieving Complete Sealing

Abstract

Background The importance of achieving optimal sealing in endodontic procedures cannot be overstated, as it directly influences the success and durability of root canal treatments. The objective of this research was to measure and identify the sealing ability of endodontic sealers by evaluating their adhesion to root canal dentin and the extent to which they achieve a complete seal. Methods A total of 60 extracted lower premolar teeth were randomly divided into three groups of 20 samples each. After root canal preparation with Neo Endo Flex files, each group was treated with a different sealer: calcium silicate-based (Bio-C Sealer), epoxy resin-based (Seal Pex), and silicone-based (Roeko Gutta Flow 2). The sealers were applied using the single cone obturation technique with gutta-percha points. The samples were stored at 37°C and 100% humidity for one week. Finally, the teeth were sectioned longitudinally and analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to assess marginal adaptation. Results The largest gaps were found in group III (Roeko Gutta Flow 2) (86.2 µm coronal, 91.1 µm apical) and the smallest in group I (Bio-C Sealer) (52.5 µm coronal, 53.7 µm apical). Significant differences were confirmed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests, with group I having the best adaptation and group III the poorest. Under SEM, the coronal halves in every group outperformed the apical halves in terms of adaptability. Conclusion The study found that coronal halves adapted better than apical halves, and Bio-C Sealer performed better than Seal Pex and Roeko Gutta Flow 2. These findings indicate that Bio-C Sealer may improve sealing and decrease microleakage risk in endodontic procedures. This study needs further research and evaluation of the long-term effects of Bio-C Sealer in clinical practice.