Physico-chemical and antimicrobial properties and the shelf life of experimental endodontic sealers containing metal methacrylates

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the physico-chemical and antimicrobial properties of a dual polymerization experimental endodontic sealer (E) and experimental sealers containing dibutyltin methacrylate (Sn²⁺) (ETs) or calcium methacrylate (Ca²⁺) (ECs). The pH and ion release levels of the sealers were measured. The dimensional stability was evaluated in accordance with ISO 6876. Biofilm growth inhibition was evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Biofilm viability analysis was performed using the SYTO 9 technique. The shelf life was evaluated through the degree of conversion and film thickness tests after the sealers had been stored for different periods of time. For statistical analysis, ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test were used, with a significance level of 5%. ETs revealed better anti-biofilm potential after 15 days than that of the controls. The degree of conversion was reduced after the shelf-life period. The addition of calcium and dibutyltin methacrylate improved the anti-biofilm properties of the experimental endodontic sealer without impairing their physico-chemical properties.

KEYWORDS:

• Endodontics
• root canal obturation
• methacrylates
• antimicrobial agents
• AH plus
• root canal filling materials

Disclosure statement

All my affiliations, corporate or institutional, and all sources of financial support for this research are properly acknowledged, except when mentioned in a separate letter. I certify that I do not have any commercial or associate interest that represents a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001 and Grant (#10.13039/501100002322). It was also was supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (309848/2017-2), and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (10.13039/501100004263 and PRONEX # 16.0471-4).