Comparison of Sealing Abilities Among Zinc Oxide Eugenol Root-Canal Filling Cement, Antibacterial Bioceramic Paste, and Epoxy Resin, using Enterococcus faecalis as a Microbial Tracer

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare sealing abilities among 3 root canal sealers, using Enterococcus faecalis as a microbial tracer. MATERIAL/METHODS: Sixty-six straight single-rooted teeth were subjected to crown removal at the cementoenamel junction. Root canals were instrumented using the crown-down technique. Prepared teeth were randomly divided into 3 groups of 22 teeth each, according to the sealer used: Canason zinc oxide eugenol root-canal filling cement, Well-Root ST antibacterial bioceramic paste, and AH 26 epoxy resin. Root canals were obturated using the lateral condensation technique, then stored at 37°C and 100% humidity for 1 week to allow sealers to set completely. Subsequently, bacterial leakage was tested using a 2-chamber method. Twice weekly, fresh E. faecalis was placed into the coronal portion of the filled root canal. Specimens were monitored at 24-h intervals for 33 days. The number of leaking samples and mean interval until leakage were compared among groups. RESULTS: The mean intervals until leakage were 5.8 days in the Canason group, 1.5 days in the Well-Root ST group, and 13.3 days in the AH 26 group. These mean intervals significantly differed between the Canason and Well-Root ST groups (P=0.035) and between the AH 26 and Well-Root ST groups (P=0.012). After 33 days, survival rates were 31.8% in the Canason group, 90.9% in the Well-Root ST group, and 68.2% in the AH 26 group (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Antibacterial bioceramic paste is a significantly more effective root canal sealer than zinc oxide eugenol root-canal filling cement or epoxy resin.