title: Cytotoxicity of epiphany SE endodontic sealer: a comparative in vitro study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Epiphany endodontic obturation system, which was developed for use with all current root canal-filling techniques by substituting for gutta-percha and sealer, has been recently modified by eliminating the priming step and introducing a new self-etch, dual-cure, resin-based sealer; Epiphany SE. As with all new endodontic compounds, this novel material should undergo preliminary testing for biocompatibility. The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro cytotoxicity of Epiphany SE and to compare it with the original Epiphany sealer and with a commonly used endodontic sealer (Pulp Canal Sealer).
  
  
  METHODS
  Mouse 3T3 fibroblasts were seeded and cultured, and extracts of each of the cemented sealers were added. After a 24-hour incubation, cell viability was evaluated by neutral red uptake assay, which is an indicator of membrane permeability. The greater the cell mortality (measured as a percentage), the greater the toxicity of the sealer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed that all 3 of the tested sealers exhibited cytotoxic effects compared to the control group (P<0.05), but no statistically significant differences (P>0.05) were noted among the sealers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results showed satisfactory biocompatibility of the new Epiphany SE sealer, which showed similar biocompatibility to the original Epiphany sealer and to the traditional zinc oxide eugenol-based sealer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Science, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. ggambarini@tin.it
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gambarini
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Romeo
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tucci
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gerosa
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nocca
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lupi
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Luca
authors.forename: Manlio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quaranta
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gagliani
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Testarelli