A COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF SEALING ABILITY OF ENDOSEQUENCE BC SEALER AND PROROOT MTA AS ROOT CANAL SEALER: AN EX VIVO STUDY

Abstract

BACKGROUND The most common method of obturation uses semisolid material such as gutta-percha in combination with a root canal sealer. The sealers must preferably stimulate the process of apical and periapical repair along with providing a hermetic seal. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 38 single rooted freshly extracted mandibular teeth were selected and divided into two groups with 15 samples each; Group A (obturated with EndoSequence BC sealer) and Group B (obturated with ProRoot MTA) and 4 samples each were used for positive control and negative control groups. Sealing ability of the two sealers was evaluated using Microbial Leakage test. RESULTS The results of the study showed that 5 samples leaked in Group A (33.33%) and 6 samples leaked in Group B (40%). The results of this study suggest that the percentage of specimens without leakage was higher for Group A when compared with Group B. Moreover, early leakage was observed in samples with ProRoot MTA than with EndoSequence BC sealer. However, on applying Mann-Whitney test, the difference was found to be statistically insignificant. Hence, it can be inferred that 'EndoSequence BC Sealer' has comparable sealing ability as compared to 'ProRoot MTA'. CONCLUSION It may be concluded that 'EndoSequence BC Sealer' being antibacterial, hydrophilic, bioactive, biocompatible, aluminium-free nanoparticulate bioceramic sealer having superior handling characteristics may be recommended for clinical use. However, before any definite conclusion can be drawn, meticulous studies, a larger number of samples and clinical evaluation for longer duration should be encouraged to evaluate the efficacy of these sealers and potential for achieving the hermetic seal.