Comparison of Push-out Bond Strength of Three Different Obturating Systems to Intraradicular Dentin: An In vitro Study

BACKGROUND: To increase the push-out bond strength of endodontic materials, newer obturation materials and obturation techniques are being introduced. AIM: The present study aimed to evaluate the push-out bond strength of three different obturating materials using a universal testing machine (UTM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of thirty freshly extracted maxillary anterior teeth were collected and randomly divided into three groups of ten each. Biomechanical preparation was done in all the teeth, and they were then divided into three experimental groups according to the obturation material and technique used, as follows: Group I: gutta-percha (GP) with AH Plus root canal sealer (lateral condensation); Group II: thermoplasticized GP technique – noncarrier based (CALAMUS(®)) with AH Plus sealer (backfill); and Group III: C-points (self-sealing root canal obturating system) with bioceramic sealer (single cone). Each specimen was subjected to push-out test using the UTM, where the punch moved in an apical to coronal direction at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min, which resulted in the displacement of the filling material. The depth of dye penetration was examined under a stereomicroscope at ×30 magnification. RESULTS: All the analyses were performed using SPSS software version 16. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Comparisons of mean values were done using ANOVA with post hoc Games–Howell test and ANOVA with post hoc Tukey's test. Group III demonstrated the highest mean push-out bond strength and Group I exhibited the least bond strength. A statistically significant difference was found between Group III and Group I with regard to the push-out bond strength assessment. CONCLUSION: Push-out bond strength differs among different obturation materials and obturation techniques.