Susceptibility of a polycaprolactone-based root canal filling material to degradation. Evidence of biodegradation from a simulated field test.
OBJECTIVE
To examine if Resilon, a polycaprolactone-based root filling material, was susceptible to microbial biodegradation by using a simulated field test that consisted of incubating the material in wet dental sludge under mesophilic and aerobic conditions.


METHODS
Pressed disks prepared from Resilon, polycaprolactone (positive control) and gutta-percha (negative control) were incubated in wet dental sludge for up to 4 months and examined for topographical changes using scanning electron microscopy.


RESULTS
Gutta-percha exhibited minimal changes in surface integrity, while polycaprolactone and Resilon exhibited severe surface pitting and erosion. In the latter, disappearance of the polymer matrix was accompanied by exposure of mineral and bioactive glass fillers. Bacteria and hyphae-like structures were present on the disk surfaces.
Tay
Franklin R
FR
Department of Oral Biology and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dentistry, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912-1129, USA. tayfranklin7@gmail.com
Pashley
David H
DH
Loushine
Robert J
RJ
Kuttler
Sergio
S
García-Godoy
Franklin
F
King
Nigel M
NM
Ferrari
Marco
M
D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001769:Blood; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000382:microbiology; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000382:microbiology; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D003804:Dentin / Q000382:microbiology; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry; D006171:Gutta-Percha / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008903:Minerals / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors
D003764:Dental Materials; D008903:Minerals; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; C486892:resilon sealer; C016240:polycaprolactone; D006171:Gutta-Percha