Spectrophotometric analysis of crown discoloration induced by two different sealers: An In vitro study.

CONTEXT: Endodontic materials have been assessed with regards to their potential for dental staining. AIMS: To evaluate the coronal discoloration effect of Apexit Plus and Resino Seal in mandibular premolars using spectrophotometer. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study design was original research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty human single-rooted mandibular first premolar teeth were selected for the study. They were divided into four groups of ten specimens each. Group 1 - Apexit Plus sealer, Group 2 - Resino Seal sealer, Group 3 - positive control (Blood), and Group 4 - negative control (distilled water). Teeth were resected 3 mm below at cementoenamel junction. In all samples, access cavities were prepared, instrumented, and irrigated. Sealers were mixed and placed into the pulp chamber through cervical access and control groups were filled with blood and distilled water. Coronal orifices were sealed using self-cure glass ionomer cement. Samples were analyzed using spectrophotometer to determine the discoloration in each group at 10, 17, and 24 days interval. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analysis used Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: All sealers used in the present study caused a progressive coronal discoloration over a time period of 17-24 days. There was statistically significant difference between resino seal sealer and apexit plus sealer , with resino seal showing greater coronal discoloration. CONCLUSION: Resino seal sealer has greater potential to cause discoloration of crown as compared to apexit plus sealer over a period of time.

Comparative evaluation of efficacy of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, maleic acid, and dimercaptosuccinic acid against the combination of these with sodium hypochlorite for removal of smear layer: An in vitro scanning electron microscope study.

CONTEXT: The effect of dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and maleic acid (MA) when used alone on smear layer has been evaluated with mixed results, but their effect when combined with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) has not been studied. AIM: To compare the effectiveness of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, MA, and DMSA against the combination of these with NaOCl in the removal of smear layer. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: n = 4pq/L2 q = 1 - p p = Incident rate L = Allowable error. METHODS: One hundred and forty extracted, anterior teeth were radiovisiographically assessed. Access preparation was done; apical patency was established. Cleaning and shaping was accomplished using step-back technique. The specimens were randomly allocated as per the final irrigation protocol. After final irrigation, teeth were prepared for scanning electron microscope analysis, and the middle and apical thirds of radicular dentin were evaluated at ×1000 for evaluation of severity of occlusion of dentinal tubules with smear layer. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The data were statistically analyzed using the Student's t-test and kappa test. RESULTS: For combined irrigation, 10% DMSA + NaOCl was significantly better than all other groups both in the middle third and the apical third. It was more effective in the middle third than at apical third. CONCLUSION: Ten percent DMSA in combination with NaOCl removes the smear layer more effectively at both the middle and apical third.