The sealing ability of biodentine and MTA as a root sealer in the management of open apices of permanent teeth

Introduction: The root seal should provide an impermeable seal in different environments to prevent the egress of bacteria from the canal into the peri-radicular tissues and the ingress of periradicular fluid into the canal.

Aim: The aim of this pilot study is to assess, by means of an in-vitro investigation using micro-CT and an optical microscope, the quality of the root apical seal achieved with either MTA® or Biodentine™ when placed in a moist environment that simulates the various clinical periapical wet environments.

Materials and methods: A total of thirty-six freshly extracted human teeth were randomly allocated to 2 groups: MTA® and Biodentine™. Each group was subdivided into 3 subgroups containing 6 teeth each. Materials insertion and packing occurred while the teeth were immersed in the environmental fluids (Dry, SBF and Acid), following

the standard apical divergence and instrumentation. Then 3 mm of the materials were scanned and analysed using the micro-CT scan (MCT) and an optical microscope was used to investigate the integrity of the root-apex at the surface interface seal.

Results: The mean porosity percentage of MTA® and Biodentine™ in the 3 different environments; Dry: 24.08% and 45.42%, SBF: 38.28% and 56.03%, Acid: 46.78% and 50.43% subsequently. There was not any statistically significant difference between the three environments at a P-value=0.16.

Conclusion: Moisture and acidic environment do not have a statistically significant effect on the sealing ability of both materials MTA® and Biodentine™. But they generate morphological changes in both materials.