An In Vitro Comparative Evaluation of Distribution of Three Different Sealers by Single-Cone Obturation Technique

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of sealer at different levels of the root canal using three different sealers in a single-cone obturation technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty freshly extracted mandibular premolar teeth were selected and access opening was performed. Working length was determined. Cleaning and shaping were done till 25 size K file followed by ProTaper till F2 size. Teeth were then obturated with matching gutta-percha points with the following sealers: Group I, 10 teeth with zinc oxide eugenol sealer; Group II, 10 teeth with AH plus sealer; and Group III, 10 teeth with NanoSeal-S sealer. Teeth were cross sectioned at 3 and 6 mm from the apex. Color photographs of sections were taken at a magnification of ×40 using a camera connected to a stereo-operating microscope and the images were transferred to a computer. Sealer distribution was observed and the canal perimeters coated or uncoated with the sealer can be calculated using a computer digital imaging system. RESULTS: Of the three groups, zinc oxide eugenol showed least sealer distribution. AH Plus and Nanoseal-S showed no significant difference between the distribution at the 3- and 6-mm levels. CONCLUSION: Both AH Plus and Nanoseal-S showed excellent sealer distribution when compared to zinc oxide eugenol.