Evaluation of apical sealing ability and biocompatibility of a new resin-based canal obturation system

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo biocompatibility of the new resin-based Epiphany-Resilon root canal filling system and to assess the apical sealingability with different pairings of AH Plus, gutta-percha, Epiphany and Resilon. Thirty-six Wistar Albino rats, 9 months old, weighing 200 to 220 g, were used to evaluatethe biocompatibility. Four subcutaneous pockets were created in the back of rats, andeach material (Resilon, gutta-percha, teflon tube containing Epiphany, empty teflontube) were implanted into specific dorsal site. The empty teflon tubes and gutta-percha points were used as control. After 1, 4, and 8 weeks, the implants wereremoved with the surrounding tissues. The tissue reactions were graded after ahistopathological examination. At each time period there was practically no differencein the reaction of all the implant materials (p>0.05). The intensity of the reaction haddiminished by the 4-week observation period, and this reduction continued throughthe 8-week observation period. All the tested materials showed an acceptablebiocompatibility. For the apical leakage study, 70 single rooted teeth wereinstrumented using ProTaper rotary files and crown-down technique. The roots weredivided randomly into 6 groups (4 experimental groups of 15 roots each and 2 controlgroup of 5 roots) and filled as follows: Group 1, AH Plus + gutta-percha; Group 2, AHPlus + Resilon; Group 3, Epiphany + Resilon; Group 4, Epiphany + gutta-percha. All70 roots were stored in gauze dampened with sterile saline and enclosed in sealedtubes for 7 days to allow the sealer to set. One-week later, apical parts of roots of 10± 0,05 mm were attached to computerized fluid filtration meter and the apicalmicroleakage values were determined. ANOVA revealed a significant differenceamong the groups. Multiple paired comparisons (Tukey test) showed that Group 4(Epiphany + gutta-percha) had significantly lower apical leakage than Group 2 (AHPlus + Resilon) (p<0.05). Group 3 (Epiphany + Resilon) showed no significantdifference from either Group 1 (AH Plus + gutta-percha) or from Group 2 and Group4 (p>0.05).Key Words: AH Plus, apical microleakage, biocompatibility, Epiphany, Resilon.