title: Scanning electron microscopic evaluation of dentinal tubule penetration of Epiphany in severely curved root canals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to compare the depth of dentinal tubule sealer penetration in the apical thirds of severely curved root canals obturated with Resilon/Epiphany self-etch (SE) or gutta-percha/AH Plus using scanning electron microscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 34 extracted human mandibular molars with 25-40° curvature of the mesial root canal were selected for this study. After preparation, the mesiobuccal canals were randomly obturated with gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer or Resilon and Epiphany SE sealer. Sealer penetration was evaluated in 2 mm sections of the apical thirds of roots using scanning electron microscopy. Data were analyzed using the independent t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test, with significance set at P < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean tubular penetration depth did not differ significantly between Resilon SE (172.22 μm) and AH Plus (122.18 μm; P > 0.05). The density of sealer tags in the apical thirds of root canals was also equivalent (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Average penetration into dentinal tubules in the apical thirds of severely curved roots did not differ significantly between Epiphany SE and AH Plus.
authors.affiliation: Dental Research Center, Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Armita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rouhani
authors.affiliation: Dental Research Center, Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Jamileh
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ghoddusi
authors.affiliation: Dental Research Center, Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Neda
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Naghavi
authors.affiliation: General Practitioner, Oman, Oman.
authors.forename: Ghadir
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Al-Lawati
keywords: Curved canal; Epiphany; Resilon; scanning electron microscopy; sealer penetration