Evaluation of the sealing ability of two sealers after using chlorhexidine as a final irrigant: An in vitro study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the precipitate formed by using sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine as a root canal irrigant on the sealing ability of different root canal sealers, using a push-out bond strength test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty single rooted premolars were used for this study. The teeth were divided into two groups (Groups I and II) of ten teeth each, according to the obturation done with AH Plus with GuttaPercha and Resilon with epiphany, respectively. The groups were in turn divided into two subgroups of five teeth each (Subgroups A and B) according to the irrigation protocol, and were evaluated using a micro push-out bond strength, with the help of a universal testing machine. Statistical analysis was done using the paired t test. RESULTS: The mean value of the AH Plus GuttaPercha group with precipitate formation (17.66 ± 0.56) showed the highest mean value for the bond strength, which was statistically higher (P < 0.05) than the rest of the groups. In the Resilon Epiphany group, the samples with precipitate formation showed (13.28 ± 1.35) the least bond strength, which was statistically lower than all the groups, except the Resilon samples without precipitate (13.99 ± 0.48). CONCLUSION: The precipitate formed by a combination of sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine tends to affect the bond strength of the sealers used for obturation.