Coronal discoloration effect of three endodontic sealers: An in vitro spectrophotometric analysis

AIM: This in vitro study compared the coronal discoloration effect of three endodontic sealers at short-time intervals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The crowns of 50 extracted premolars were cut and their pulp chambers were cleaned and randomly divided into five groups (n = 10). The following materials were placed into the pulp chambers: Group I: AH Plus, group II: Apexit Plus, group III: Sultan, group IV: Amalgam, and group V: Distilled water. The color of the crowns was measured using Shadepilot™ spectrophotometer (DeguDent, Hanau, Germany) prior and after the placement of experimental materials within pulp chambers. Color changes (ΔE values) and shades were recorded in 3, 10, and 17 days. A Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used to assess significant differences between the sealers. Wilcoxon test was used to compare color changes at different periods within each group. RESULTS: All sealers showed significant discoloration effect that increased over the time. At the end of the observation period, Apexit Plus showed the lowest coronal discoloration effect (ΔE = 6.38 ± 0.55). CONCLUSIONS: All sealers used in the current study may cause a progressive coronal discoloration effect over 10-17 days. Apexit Plus sealer showed the lowest coronal discoloration effect.