Comparative Evaluation of Apical Sealing Ability of Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Obturating Materials -A Sem Study

Abstract

AIM- This in-vitro study was designed to evaluate the sealing ability of hydrophilic and hydrophobic obturation materials in the apical one third of the root canal which is the most vulnerable area to microleakage using scanning electron microscope.

METHODOLOGY- A total number of 60 undamaged human mandibular premolar teeth with single root canal and apical foramen were included in this study The root canals were prepared till WaveOne Gold medium medium file i.e 35 size which is of 6% and  irrigated with 5 mL of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite before placement of  4 different kinds of sealer using GP cones. The sealers used were namely- Group A - Hydrophobic sealer (AH Plus),Group B – Hydrophobic sealer (GuttaFlow 2), Group C – Hydrophilic sealer (Bio-C), Group D.- Hydrophilic sealer (BioRoot RCS) . Superficial longitudinal grooves were created on the mesial and distal wall of the root with diamond disc and each specimen was evaluated at the level of 3 mm from the apex and evaluation of microgap was done by examining under scanning electron microscope in micrometer(µm)

RESULTS - The result revealed that hydrophilic sealers, BioRoot RCS (Group D) and BIO-C (Group C) showed less microgap when compared with hydrophobic sealers, Group A (AH Plus) and Group B (GuttaFlow 2).

CONCLUSION-To achieve hermetic seal various sealers have been used but the recently introduced hydrophilic sealers provide a better seal as compared to traditionally present hydrophobic sealers as proved under the experimental conditions and within the limitations of this study.