title: In vitro analysis of the cytotoxicity and the antimicrobial effect of four endodontic sealers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro the cytotoxicity and antibacterial properties of four different endodontic sealers using human periodontal ligament fibroblast cell proliferation and visual analysis of growth inhibition.
  
  
  METHODS
  A silicone (GuttaFlow), silicate (EndoSequence BC), zinc oxide eugenol (Pulp Canal Sealer EWT) and epoxy resin (AH Plus Jet) based sealer were incubated with PDL fibroblasts (10⁴ cells/ml, n=6) up to 96 h. Cell proliferation (RFU) was determined by means of the Alamar Blue assay. Cell growth and morphology was visualized by means of fluorescent dyes. Possible antibacterial properties of the different sealers were visualized by means of SEM (Enterococcus faecalis; Parvimonas micra).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fibroblast proliferation depended on sealer and cultivation time. After 72 and 96 h GuttaFlow and EndoSequence BC showed relatively non-cytotoxic reactions, while Pulp Canal Sealer EWT and AH Plus Jet caused a significant decrease of cell proliferation (p<0.001). Visualization of cell growth and morphology with various fluorescent dyes supplemented the results. No antibacterial effect of EndoSequence BC to P. micra was found, whereas GuttaFlow showed a weak, Pulp Canal Sealer EWT and AH Plus Jet extensive growth inhibition. Also, no antibacterial effect of GuttaFlow, EndoSequence BC or AH Plus Jet to E. faecalis could be detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These in vitro findings reveal that GuttaFlow and EndoSequence BC can be considered as biocompatible sealing materials. However, prior to their clinical employment, studies regarding their sealing properties also need to be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Ines
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Willershausen
authors.forename: Angelika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Callaway
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Briseño
authors.forename: Brita
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Willershausen
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000494:pharmacology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000494:pharmacology; D004338:Drug Combinations; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000187:drug effects*; D004853:Epoxy Resins / Q000494:pharmacology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D006171:Gutta-Percha / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010087:Oxides / Q000494:pharmacology; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000166:cytology*; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017640:Silicates / Q000494:pharmacology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D004338:Drug Combinations; C550603:EndoSequence root repair material; D004853:Epoxy Resins; C515718:GuttaFlow; D010087:Oxides; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D017640:Silicates; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement; C534916:epoxy resin-based root canal sealer; D006171:Gutta-Percha