Simulation of soft and hard tissues and its effects on radiopacity of root canal sealers

• Published in: Revista odonto ciência Vol. 26; no. 4; pp. 326 - 330
• Main Authors: Rosa, Ricardo Abreu da, Bier, Carlos Alexandre Souza, Pereira, Charles Cunha, Só, Marcus Vinícus Reis, Wolle, Carlos Frederico Brilhante
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Porto Alegre EDIPUCRS 2011; Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul
• Subjects: DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE; cimentos endodônticos; Radiopacity; tecidos moles e duros; root canal sealers; soft and hard tissue; Radiopacidade
• ISSN: 1980-6523; 0102-9460; 1980-6523
• DOI: 10.1590/S1980-65232011000400009

Purpose: To simulate soft and hard tissues to assess radiopacity of three root canal sealers (Endofill, AH Plus and Sealer 26). Methods: Five circular specimens (10x1 mm) were made and three experimental conditions were created. Situation #1: an aluminum step wedge allowed specimen being submitted to three digital radiographs. Situation #2: a retromolar mandibular segment containing the specimen was positioned between the phosphor plate and X-ray machine. Situation #3: a soft tissue simulating material (utility wax - 30 mm) was associated with the mandibular segment. Mean gray values were measured using ImageTool 3.0 software. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha=0.05) was performed. Results: Radiopacity increased when bone tissue was used (P < 0.05), except for AH Plus. Situation #3 provided greater radiopacity (P < 0.05). Radiopacity between most and least sealers decreased 44% when Situation #1 and #3 were compared. Conclusion: Simulated soft and hard tissues influenced the radiopacity of root canal sealers.