title: Evaluation of radiopacity, pH, release of calcium ions, and flow of a bioceramic root canal sealer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the physicochemical properties of a bioceramic root canal sealer, Endosequence BC Sealer. Radiopacity, pH, release of calcium ions (Ca(2+)), and flow were analyzed, and the results were compared with AH Plus cement.
  
  
  METHODS
  Radiopacity and flow were evaluated according to ISO 6876/2001 standards. For the radiopacity analysis, metallic rings with 10-mm diameter and 1-mm thickness were filled with cements. The radiopacity value was determined according to radiographic density (mm Al). The flow test was performed with 0.05 mL of cement placed on a glass plate. A 120-g weight was carefully placed over the cement. The largest and smallest diameters of the disks formed were measured by using a digital caliper. The release of Ca(2+) and pH were measured at periods of 3, 24, 72, 168, and 240 hours with spectrophotometer and pH meter, respectively. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance and Tukey test (P < .05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The bioceramic endodontic cement showed radiopacity (3.84 mm Al) significantly lower than that of AH Plus (6.90 mm Al). The pH analysis showed that Endosequence BC Sealer showed pH and release of Ca(2+) greater than those of AH Plus (P < .05) during the experimental periods. The flow test revealed that BC Sealer and AH Plus presented flow of 26.96 mm and 21.17 mm, respectively (P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endosequence BC Sealer showed radiopacity and flow according to ISO 6876/2001 recommendations. The other physicochemical properties analyzed demonstrated favorable values for a root canal sealer.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Endodontics, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: George Táccio de Miranda
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Candeiro
authors.forename: Fabrícia Campelo
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Correia
authors.forename: Marco Antônio Húngaro
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: Danieli Colaço
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Ribeiro-Siqueira
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gavini
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D017610:Calcium Compounds; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000737:chemistry; D002516:Ceramics / Q000737:chemistry; D003287:Contrast Media; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004853:Epoxy Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D057446:Hydrodynamics; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008422:Materials Testing; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D017640:Silicates / Q000737:chemistry; D015040:Zirconium
chemical_list: D017610:Calcium Compounds; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D003287:Contrast Media; D004338:Drug Combinations; C550603:EndoSequence root repair material; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D010087:Oxides; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D017640:Silicates; C534916:epoxy resin-based root canal sealer; D015040:Zirconium; C028541:zirconium oxide; D002118:Calcium