Adaptability of different canal sealers to the root canal dentin - scanning electron microscopy analysis

. The aim of this in vitro study was to test and analyze the sealing ability of three endodontic materials used for permanent obturation, in between the dentin walls and the gutta-percha points, using a scanning electron microscope. Material and Methods. Forty-five recently extracted single-root teeth, treated by a step-back technique, were divided into three groups (15 teeth in each); the canals were filled with three different permanent obturation materials: N2 zinc oxide root canal cement, Gutta Flow (Coltene), and Endomethasone N (Septodont). Their sealing ability and adhesive properties were analyzed using field emission gun scanning electron microscope, at the time when they were applied between the dentin walls of the canal and the gutta-percha. Results. The results of the scanning electron microscope analysis have shown that all the three sealers have good adhesion properties when used over the root canal walls in the apical third. Good adaptation of the filling used for the root canal walls in the middle and the cervical third was found only in teeth obturated using Gutta Flow, while samples obturated by N2 zinc oxide root canal cement and Endomethasone showed the weakest adhesion, and greatest number of cracks between the sealer and the canal wall. Conclusion. When using a single-cone obturation technique, compared to other obturation materials, Gutta Flow shows considerably better adaptation to the root canal wall and the guttapercha points in the apical, middle, and the cervical third of the root.