Physical Properties and Cytotoxicity of Flavonoid-Based Experimental Root Canal Sealer

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate a Flavonoid-based experimental root canal sealer regarding its physical properties, adaptability, and cytotoxicity comparing it to Tech Biosealer Endo and MTA-Fillapex. Materials and Methods: One hundred forty four discs (48 each sealer) were subdivided into 4 subgroups for the evaluation of radio-opacity, initial and final setting time, pH, and solubility. Thirty teeth were decoronated, instrumented, dried and obturated using lateral compaction technique (10 teeth using each sealer) for evaluation of adaptability using SEM. Forty five disc (15 each sealer) were subdivided into 2 subgroups for evaluation cytotoxicity at 24 and 72 hours. Data was subjected to statistical analysis. Results: Tech Biosealer Endo showed mean radio-opacity value comparable to MTA-Fillapex, while Flavonoid-based experimental sealer has mean radio-opacity value statistically significantly lower than other tested sealers. Flavonoid-based experimental sealer has shown longest mean initial and final setting times followed by MTA-Fillapex followed by Tech Biosealer Endo with a statistically significant difference between all groups. Tech Biosealer Endo and MTA-Fillapex have shown an alkaline pH at all observation periods which were statistically significantly higher than Flavonoid-based experimental sealer. At  Summary and conclusions 119 all observation periods Flavonoid-based experimental sealer showed mean percentage weight loss statistically significantly higher than other tested sealers, while the Tech Biosealer Endo shown increase in weight after 7 and 28 days. Tech Biosealer Endo has shown the best adaptation to canal walls at all root levels followed by the MTA-Fillapex and the least adaptation was seen in Flavonoid-based experimental sealer. SEM showed the best adaptation for all tested sealer to root dentin was at the middle root level followed by apical root level, while the coronal root level showed worst adaptation. MTA-Fillapex showed higher cytotoxicity than Tech Biosealer Endo and Flavonoid-based experimental sealer at all observation periods Conclusion: Under the condition of the present study, it can be concluded that: 1. Both Tech Biosealer Endo and MTA-Fillapex sealers have physical properties in agreement with ISO 6876/2001 and ANSI/ADA specification no. 57. 2. The radio-opacity and solubility results of Flavonoid-based experimental sealer does not conform to the requirements of both ISO and ANSI/ADA specifications. 3. Tech Biosealer Endo showed the most optimal tubular penetration and adaptation to the root canal wall of the sealers tested.  Summary and conclusions 120 4. Flavonoid-based experimental sealer and Tech Biosealer Endo were still superior to MTA-Fillapex regarding cytotoxicity. Recommendation: 1. Further studies should be carried out with the purpose of decreasing the setting time, solubility and to determine the ideal ratio of radiopacifying agents required in Flavonoid-based experimental sealer. 2. Further research work on Propolis to conform the requirement of both ISO 6876/2001 and ANSI/ADA specification. 3. Atomic absorption spectrophotometric analysis of the solution after the solubility test to determine the ions released from Tech Biosealer Endo and MTA-Fillapex 4. Studying antimicrobial effect of Tech Biosealer Endo and MTA-Fillapex