Evidence of improved bond strength of resin-based sealer with the use of natural antioxidants on hypochlorite treated dentin: an in vitro study

AIM: To evaluate the effect of natural antioxidants as final irrigants on the push-out bond strength of epoxy resin-based sealer to the hypochlorite treated dentin. METHODS: Eighty single-rooted human mandibular incisors were prepared using ProTaper Gold (Dentsply, TN, USA) and an irrigation protocol including 3% NaOCl, followed by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and 3% NaOCl. The groups (n =20) were divided according to the final irrigant used: Group 1: None (Control); Group 2: 5% sodium ascorbate, Group 3: 5% grape seed extract (GSE); and Group 4: 5% pine bark extract. The obturation of root canals was performed using gutta-percha and AH Plus (Dentsply DeTrey, Germany). Bond strength was evaluated using the push-out test under the universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min, and statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA. The p-value significance was evaluated by Tukey’s post hoc test (p<0.01). RESULTS: Mean push-out bond strength values were compared in all the groups, and there was a statistically significant improvement in the experimental final irrigating groups. 5% pine bark extract had improved bond strength than the other groups, and the least bond strength was observed in the control group. CONCLUSION: The irrigation protocols and naturally derived antioxidants affected the resin-based sealer’s bond strength to root dentin. It was observed that the use of antioxidants effectively reversed the compromised bond strength of resin-based sealers to root dentin. 5% pine bark extract application showed better bond strength.