Evaluation of the film thickness and antibacterial property of mineral trioxide aggregate mixed with propylene glycol as a root canal sealer

BACKGROUND: The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the film thickness and antibacterial properties of mineral trioxide aggregate-propylene glycol (MTA-PG) as a sealer in comparison with MTA Fillapex and AH26 sealers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In these in vitro study the antibacterial property of the sealers was evaluated using direct contact test in fresh and set states. Enterococcus faecalis was incubated in direct contact with fresh and set materials. The growth of exposed bacteria was evaluated by counting colony-forming units (CFUs) after 10 min and 1 h in the culture medium. The film thickness of sealers was measured according to the International Standard Organization 6876/2012. The data were statistically analyzed using an independent t-test and repeated measures of ANOVA. The level of significance was set at 0.05. RESULTS: CFU means in AH26 was significantly more than other groups (P < 0.0001), but there was no difference between MTA-PG and MTA Fillapex. The mean of CFUs in set AH26 after 1 h exposure was significantly >10-min exposure (P = 0.006). The mean film thickness values of MTA Fillapex, MTA-PG, and AH26 were 57.3, 50.9, and 78.3 μm, respectively. CONCLUSION: MTA-Fillapex and MTA-PG showed distinct antibacterial effect. AH26 showed more antibacterial effect in fresh state in comparison with set state. The film thickness of MTA-PG and MTA-Fillapex was significantly less than AH26.