title: Sealer penetration and adaptation in the dentinal tubules: a scanning electron microscopic study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tubular penetration and adaptation of the sealer can determine the sealability of the root filling. The aim of this study was to assess, in vitro, the tubular adaptation and penetration depth and the adaptation to the root canal walls in the apical, middle, and coronal third of the root canal of 5 different sealers used in combination with softened gutta-percha cones.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-two single-rooted teeth were prepared and filled with 5 different sealers and softened gutta-percha cones. Thereafter, the roots were cross-sectioned and prepared for scanning electron microscopic evaluation. Adaptation of the sealer to the root canal and tubular walls and tubular penetration were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AH Plus (Dentsply De Trey, Konstanz, Germany), an epoxy resin sealer, showed the best tubular adaptation and penetration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The tubular penetration and adaptation varies with the different physical and chemical properties of the sealers used. AH Plus showed the most optimal tubular penetration and adaptation to the root canal wall of the sealers tested.
authors: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France. ericbalguerie@hotmail.fr
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Balguerie
authors: Lucas
authors: L
authors: van der Sluis
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Vallaeys
authors: Marie
authors: M
authors: Gurgel-Georgelin
authors: Franck
authors: F
authors: Diemer
mesh_terms: D018772:Dental Marginal Adaptation; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity; D003804:Dentin / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003806:Dentin Permeability; D023381:Endpoint Determination; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation
chemical_list: D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials