The effect of clorhexidine on the dentinal tubule penetration of two bioseramic sealers: A confocal laser scanning microscopy study

The aim of this study, evaluation of bioceramic based sealers; Endosequence BC Sealer (Brasseler USA, Savannah, GA) and BioRoot RCS (Septodont, Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, France), in terms of penetration depth into dentinal tubules by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) with or without using clorhexidine (CHX) as a final irrigation solution and comparison with resin-based AH Plus (Dentsply DeTrey GmbH, Konstanz, Germany) sealer. 60 extracted maxillary central incisor were treated with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) irrigation during the instrumentation. Teeth were divided into 2 groups after root canal preparation. After smear removal with 17% EDTA followed by 2,5 mL distilled water final irrigation was performed with 2.5 mL 5.25% NaOCl and distilled water for 1. Group, %2 CHX solution for 2. Group. Both groups were divided into three groups according to the sealer to be used; Endosequence BC Sealer, BioRoot RCS and AH Plus. Sealers labeled with ~0.1% Rhodamine B and single-cone technique used for obturation. The teeth were sectioned horizontally at 3, 6, and 9 mm from the root apex and samples were examined by CLSM. Dentinal tubule penetration depth of Endosequence BC Sealer and BioRoot RCS were signifficantly higher than AH Plus for both irrigation protocol (p <0.001). While CHX did not affect the penetration of Endosequence BC and BioRoot RCS, it increased the penetration depth of AH Plus at the apical (p <0.05) and the percentage in the apical and middle region (p <0.05). There was no significant difference between the penetration percentage of the sealers (p> 0.05).