In Vitro Comparison of the Wettability of a Bioceramic Root Canal Sealer on Dentin With and Without Erbium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Er:YAG) Laser Irradiation

Introduction: To evaluate and compare the wettability of bioceramic root canal sealer (BioRoot™ RCS, Septodont, Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, France) on dentin with and without erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser irradiation using different frequencies and energies. Methods: A hundred single-rooted tooth samples were divided into five groups of 20 samples each. Each group was treated with different methods before sealer application as follows: Group 1: Treated with 2 ml 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) irrigant for one minute (control group); group 2: Irradiated with Er:YAG laser for one minute (8 Hz frequency and 200mJ energy); group 3: Irradiated with Er:YAG laser for one minute (8 Hz frequency and 400mJ energy); group 4: Irradiated with Er:YAG laser for one minute (16 Hz frequency and 200mJ energy); group 5: (n=20) samples irradiated with Er:YAG laser for one minute (16 Hz frequency and 400mJ energy). Bioceramic root canal sealer application was done onto the treated dentin specimen using a micropipette. The contact angle of the drop of the sealer with the dentin surface was measured after five minutes using a contact angle analyzer. Results: There was no significant difference in wettability between Er:YAG laser using 8Hz frequency and 200mJ energy and Er:YAG laser using 8Hz frequency and 400mJ energy. However, there was a significant difference between the other two groups of Er:YAG laser using 16Hz frequency and 400mJ energy and Er: YAG laser using 16Hz frequency and 200mJ energy. Conclusion: Contact angle was found to be lowest in the group that was irradiated with Er:YAG laser for one minute (16 Hz frequency and 400mJ energy) before the sealer application. The test findings demonstrated that the control group had the highest contact angle (low wettability) and it was statistically significant with all other groups.