Antimicrobial activity and flow rate of newer and established root canal sealers

• Published in: Journal of endodontics Vol. 26; no. 5; p. 274
• Main Authors: Siqueira, Jr, J F, Favieri, A, Gahyva, S M, Moraes, S R, Lima, K C, Lopes, H P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-05-2000
• Subjects: Agar; Analysis of Variance; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents - chemistry; Anti-Infective Agents - pharmacology; Bacteria - drug effects; Bismuth - chemistry; Bismuth - pharmacology; Calcium Hydroxide - chemistry; Calcium Hydroxide - pharmacology; Candida albicans - drug effects; Dental Pulp Cavity - microbiology; Enterococcus faecalis - drug effects; Epoxy Resins - chemistry; Epoxy Resins - pharmacology; Escherichia coli - drug effects; Humans; Immunodiffusion; Lactobacillus casei - drug effects; Materials Testing; Porphyromonas gingivalis - drug effects; Prevotella - drug effects; Pseudomonas aeruginosa - drug effects; Rheology; Root Canal Filling Materials - chemistry; Root Canal Filling Materials - pharmacology; Statistics, Nonparametric; Streptococcus - drug effects; Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement - chemistry; Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0099-2399
• DOI: 10.1097/00004770-200005000-00005

Endodontic sealers that possess both optimum flow ability and antimicrobial properties may theoretically assist in the elimination of microorganisms located in confined areas of the root canal system. The antimicrobial effects and the flow rate of the following sealers were investigated and compared: Kerr Pulp Canal Sealer EWT, Grossman's Sealer, ThermaSeal, Sealer 26, AH Plus, and Sealer Plus. The agar diffusion test was used to assess the antimicrobial activity of the sealers. In the flow assay, the sealers were placed between two glass slabs and a weight of 500 g was placed on the top of the glass. The diameters of the formed discs were recorded. All root canal sealers tested showed some antimicrobial activity against most of the microorganisms. There were no significant differences between the materials tested (p > 0.05). All root canal sealers also flowed under the conditions of this study. Statistical analysis of the results revealed that AH Plus and Kerr Pulp Canal Sealer EWT had flow values significantly superior to the other sealers tested (p > 0.05). Taken together, these findings suggest that these sealers have the potential to help in the microbial control in the root canal system.