A comparative study of physicochemical properties of AH Plus, Epiphany, and Epiphany SE root canal sealers.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the physicochemical properties and the surface morphology of AH Plus, Epiphany, and Epiphany SE root canal sealers.


METHODS
Five samples of each material were employed for each test according to ANSI/ADA specification 57. The samples were assigned to four groups: (i) AH Plus; (ii) Epiphany; (iii) Epiphany + Thinning Resin; (iv) Epiphany SE. The distilled water used during the solubility test was submitted to spectrometry to verify the release of calcium ions. The morphologies of the external surface and the cross-section of the samples were analysed by means of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Statistical analysis was performed by using One-Way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey-Kramer tests with the null hypothesis set as 5%.


RESULTS
Setting time, flow and radiopacity results were in accordance with ANSI/ADA requirements whereas the dimensional change of all sealers and solubility of Epiphany did not fulfil ANSI/ADA protocols. AH Plus and Epiphany SE were similar in terms of flow, radiopacity, solubility and dimensional change. The spectrometry test revealed significant calcium ion release from Epiphany with and without the thinning resin. SEM analysis revealed essentially a homogeneous surface with compact layer and some rough areas.


CONCLUSIONS
Setting time, flow, and radiopacity tests conformed to ANSI/ADA standardization. The dimensional change in all groups and the solubility of Epiphany were greater than values considered acceptable, with higher amounts of calcium ion release. Epiphany SE revealed more organized, compacted, and homogeneous polymers in a reduced resin matrix when compared with the other groups.
Resende
L M
LM
School of Dentistry, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Universidade de Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
Rached-Junior
F J A
FJ
Versiani
M A
MA
Souza-Gabriel
A E
AE
Miranda
C E S
CE
Silva-Sousa
Y T C
YT
Sousa Neto
M D
MD
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004853:Epoxy Resins / Q000737:chemistry*; D055115:Light-Curing of Dental Adhesives; D008422:Materials Testing; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry*; D011861:Radiography, Dental; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D004338:Drug Combinations; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D008689:Methacrylates; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; C486893:epiphany sealer; C534916:epoxy resin-based root canal sealer; C486892:resilon sealer