Evaluation of Root Canal Filling with a Bioceramic Sealer Using Micro-Computed Tomography: A Pilot Study

Abstract

This pilot study aims to define a protocol for optimizing the micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) settings to evaluate in the future research the root canal filling in oval shaped canals. Thirty distal canals of mandibular molars were used. After preparation of the canals, the roots were randomly divided into five groups. The canals were filled with two types of sealers (Endosequence BC Sealer or AH Plus) and two types of gutta percha (Protaper Next cones and Endosequence BC cones), using thermal obturation in comparison with a single cone obturation technique. Each specimen was scanned three times using a micro-CT device at a resolution of 30,1 μm. The first scan was done for selecting the specimen according the inclusion criteria, the second one post-instrumentation and the last micro-CT scan after obturation the specimens. For the present study, the images were only evaluated with qualitative criteria and the settings for acquisition, reconstruction and analysis of micro-CT images were tested.