Biocompatibility of an experimental glass-ionomer cement sealer in rat mandibular bone.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare an experimental glass-ionomer cement sealer, KT-308, with a conventional zinc oxide-eugenol sealer, Canals, in terms of tissue compatibility and solubility.


METHODS
Tissue reactions were examined under light and electron microscopes at 3 and 20 days after the implantation of either freshly mixed KT-308 sealer or Canals sealer into prepared cavities in rat mandibles.


RESULTS
At 3 days after implantation, no inflammatory reaction was seen around KT-308 sealer, which was in direct contact with the bone surface. In contrast, Canals sealer elicited an initially severe inflammation in the surrounding tissue. At 20 days, the majority of KT-308 sealer remained in the bone cavity. Canals sealer was largely absorbed and surrounded by fibrous tissue with many macrophages. An ultrastructural examination also revealed that no intervening tissue was present between the cut bone surface and the glass-ionomer cement sealer and that disintegrated zinc oxide-eugenol particles were engulfed by macrophages.


CONCLUSIONS
KT-308 sealer possesses better tissue compatibility and lower solubility compared with a conventional zinc oxide-eugenol sealer, suggesting its potential for use as a root canal sealant.
Ogasawara
Takako
T
Department of Endodontology and Operative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Yoshimine
Yoshito
Y
Yamamoto
Mayumi
M
Akamine
Akifumi
A
D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000187:drug effects*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D012995:Solubility; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity
D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements; C477689:KT308 Sealer; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement; C112894:canals sealer