title: The adaptation of mechanically softened gutta-percha to the canal walls in the presence or absence of smear layer: a scanning electron microscopic study.
abstract: The objective of this study was to compare the adaptation of mechanically softened gutta-percha to the root canal wall in the presence and absence of smear layer. The root canals of 20 freshly extracted human maxillary incisors were cleaned and shaped. Prior to obturation, 10 root canals were irrigated with 20 ml of 50% citric acid followed by 20 ml of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite. All canals were obturated with mechanical compaction of gutta-percha and AH-26 sealer. After 72 h, each tooth was fractured in half. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that the sealer had formed a continuous layer in contact with the canal walls, becoming progressively thinner towards the apex. The sealer penetrated into the dentinal tubules along with projections of gutta-percha only in those teeth without smear layer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Dental Therapeutics, Faculty of Odontology, University of Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pallarés
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Faus
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Glickman
mesh_terms: D001729:Bismuth; D018772:Dental Marginal Adaptation; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003804:Dentin / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D006171:Gutta-Percha; D006801:Humans; D008709:Methenamine; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000379:methods*; D018915:Root Canal Preparation; D012834:Silver; D016369:Smear Layer; D014025:Titanium
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D012834:Silver; C028044:epoxy resin AH-26; D006171:Gutta-Percha; D014025:Titanium; D008709:Methenamine; D001729:Bismuth