Sealing capacity of two obturation techniques and two cements evaluated by bacterial inoculation

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to evaluate, in vitro, using bacterial coronal leakage, two root canal filling techniques, using different endodontic sealers. Sixty-eight single- rooted human teeth with a straight root canal were instrumented by the Oregon technique and irrigated with 5.25% NaOCl and 17% EDTA, respectively, and sterilized with moist heat. The specimens were divided into four groups which were submitted to obturation by the lateral condensation or the Schilder technique, using zinc oxide and eugenol or calcium hydroxide based root canal sealers. After obturation, the teeth were placed in glass flasks, with the apex being immersed in brain heart infusion (BHI), and the coronal portion was inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis. The tubes were then incubated in a bacteriological oven at 37 ºC. Finnaly, after 24h, the presence or absence of microbial growth in the culture was evaluated and the bacterial leakage was confirmed by detection of the microorganism, using Gram staining. The results were analyzed by the Qui-Squared test. The greater seal capacity was provided by the Schilder technique combined to the zinc oxide and eugenol cement, being then observed, in the lateral condensation technique, the greatest condensation degree, apart from the cement used. Key words: Endodontic sealers. Bacterial inoculation. Obturation of the root canal system.