Solubility of root canal sealers: A comparative study

Introduction: Root canal sealers used in odontological applications are capable of providing an apical seal, thus inhibiting potential bacterial penetration into the periradicular tissues. Since insolubility is the ideal characteristic for a root canal sealer material, in dentistry the sealability of the material depends on its solubility. Purpose: This study tested the solubility of six different root canal sealers: two ZnOE-based sealers (Endomethasone C and Argoseal), two calcium hydroxide-containing sealers (Bioseal Normal and Acroseal), and two resin-based sealers (AH Plus and MM Seal). Methods: Ten specimens of each material were prepared using stainless steel ring molds with the same internal diameter and the same height in order to obtain similar samples, and immersed in water. Solubility was determined by using sample weight loss (%) after 24 hours and after 2 months. The test was performed according to the International Standards Organization 6876 standard and the American Dental Association specifications No. 30 and No. 57. Data were statistically analyzed with a one-way analysis of variance test (ANOVA). Results: The ANOVA test showed significant differences between the various groups. The post-hoc test showed that resin-based root canal sealers had significantly lower solubility percentages than other groups (p<0.05), and showed no difference between them (p>0.05). Conclusions: All the materials fulfilled the requirements of International Standard 6876 and ANSI/ADA specifications demonstrating a weight loss of less than 3%. Under the conditions of the present study, all root canal sealers were of low solubility, but the lowest solubility percentages were recorded in resin-based root canal sealers, which can be considered virtually insoluble, and thanks to this physical property, ideal for use as endodontic sealer.