Apical Sealing and Bioactivity of an Experimental Gutta-Percha Containing Niobium Phosphate Bioglass

This study evaluated the apical sealing ability and bioactivity of an experimental gutta-percha containing niobium phosphate bioglass. Thirty-six human premolars were endodontically prepared and divided into three groups: GPC—filling with conventional gutta-percha; GBC—filling with bioceramic gutta-percha (EndoSequence BC); GNB—filling with experimental gutta-percha containing niobophosphate. Teeth were stored in tubes containing 2 mL of simulated body fluid (SBF) solution in an oven for 30 days. Then, the samples were immersed in lanthanum nitrate solution and analyzed for apical nanoleakage (NI) with a scanning electron microscope (SEM/EDS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Gutta-percha specimens were immersed for 28 days (SBF) and analyzed in SEM/EDS and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to assess bioactivity. NI data originated from the SEM/EDS were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test (α = 5%). NI data originated from TEM and bioactivity were descriptively reported. Statistical analysis did not detect a significant difference between groups (p = 0.13) for NI. In the bioactivity analysis, an abundant layer of hydroxyapatite was identified only in the surface of the GNB group samples. The gutta-percha containing niobophosphate bioglass promoted an apical sealing similar to EndoSequence BC, in addition to demonstrating bioactivity through the deposition of hydroxyapatite on the surface of the material after immersion in SBF.