In vitro evaluation of five root canal sealers

An adequate film thickness is an important property of an endodontic sealer, when used in combination with gutta-percha, to eventually fill minimal voids between gutta-percha and the root canal walls, ensuring an hermetic three-dimensional root canal obturation. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the film thickness of the following five root canal sealers: RSA, Rocanal R4, N2, Bioseal and Acroseal. METHODS: The testing procedures strictly followed ANSI/ADA spec. no. 57 for endodontic filling materials. All root canal sealers were mixed at room temperature strictly following mixing procedures advised by manufacturers. A small amount of sealer was placed between two glass plates and load of 147 N was applied vertically on the top glass plate. After 10 min, the thickness of sealers was measured by a micrometer assembled on a stereomicroscope (Lomo MBC 10). Data were collected and statistically analysed. RESULTS: Results (expressed in micron) were the following: RSA=9,3 (+/-1), Rocanal R4 95 (+/-12), N2 50 (+/-23), Bioseal 41 (+/-13) and Acroseal =9 (+/-2.55). CONCLUSIONS: RSA and Acroseal showed the best results (a statistically significant difference was noted among these sealers and the others). On the other hand Bioseal and (partially) N2 showed values compatible with a valid clinical use, while Rocanal R4 showed values higher than minimum standard values allowed by ANSA/ADA spec. no. 57.