An in vitro comparison of penetration depth of two root canal sealers: An SEM study

AIM: The aim of this study was to examine in vitro penetration depth of two resin-based sealers (AH plus and Resino Seal) and Zinc Oxide Eugenol sealer into the dentinal tubules after removing smear layer by passive ultrasonic irrigation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty freshly extracted maxillary central incisors were used. The teeth were decoronated, working length established and prepared upto size 40 file. Each root was subjected to passive ultrasonic irrigation with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite. Three different sealers and gutta-percha were used for obturation. Roots were sectioned using hard tissue microtome. These sections were gold sputtered and examined under scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: Statistical analyses of the data were performed using Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests. Statistically significant difference was found between AH Plus sealer and Resino Seal sealer and Zinc Oxide Eugenol sealer. CONCLUSION: The results showed that AH Plus had maximum penetration depth into dentinal tubules.