title: Critical review on methacrylate resin-based root canal sealers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Four generations of methacrylate resin-based sealers have been available commercially. Three of these were introduced during the last 5 years when the concept of simultaneous bonding of root canal sealers to root filling materials and dentin was popularized.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article presents an overview of methacrylate resin-based sealers, with the objectives of clarifying the behavior of these materials and delineating their limitations in clinical application.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The first generation sealer was introduced in the mid-1970s. The initial enthusiasm associated with its use eventually diminished as a result of its suboptimal physical, biologic, and clinical properties. With advances in self-etching adhesive technology acquired from adhesive dentistry, methacrylate resin-based sealers were reintroduced in the beginning of the 21st century to support the introduction of bondable root canal filling materials. Three different generations of these sealers have since been available commercially. Although some in vitro studies on the sealing ability, self-etching potential, biocompatibility, and removability of the sealers showed better potential over conventional nonbonding sealers, accomplishing the ideal goal of a monoblock in the root canal space with these materials is still regarded as a major challenge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On the basis of the in vitro and in vivo data available to date, there appears to be no clear benefit with the use of methacrylate resin-based sealers in conjunction with adhesive root filling materials at this point in their development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young Kyung
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grandini
authors.forename: Jason M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ames
authors.forename: Li-sha
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Sung Kyo
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Pashley
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gutmann
authors.forename: Franklin R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Tay
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D001840:Dental Bonding; D006801:Humans; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry*; D019279:Resin Cements / Q000737:chemistry*; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D008689:Methacrylates; D019279:Resin Cements; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials