Cytotoxicity of new resin-, calcium hydroxide- and silicone-based root canal sealers on fibroblasts derived from human gingiva and L929 cell lines

Aim To assess ex vivo the cytotoxic effects of five new root canal sealers (RC Sealer, Epiphany, EndoREZ, GuttaFlow and Acroseal) and three existing products (AH Plus, RoekoSeal and Apexit) using primary human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) and a mouse fibroblast cell line, L929. Methodology Eight samples of each sealer were fabricated in sterile cylindrical Teflon blocks, 4.4 mm diameter and 2 mm height and then divided into two groups, fresh and aged specimens. Extraction of fresh specimens was carried out after setting whilst aged specimens were placed in Petri dishes and kept in a humid chamber at 37 degrees C for 7 days before extraction in cell culture medium using the ratio 1.25 cm(2) mL(-1). Undiluted eluates were used for the dimethylthiazol diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay with HGF and L-929. Morphology of HGF cells was also examined by an inverted microscope using undiluted eluates of the sealers. The results were analysed using a two-tailed t-test (alpha = 0.05) between groups. Results Resin-based (Epiphany and EndoREZ) and calcium hydroxide-based (Apexit and Acroseal) sealers were significantly more cytotoxic than other sealers (P < 0.05). However, L929 cells were more sensitive to Apexit and EndoREZ than HGF cells. RC Sealer showed mild cytotoxicity to HGF at both setting times. AH Plus did not exert any cytotoxic effect to HGF and aged specimens appeared to induce cellular proliferation. RoekoSeal and GuttaFlow also demonstrated mild cytotoxicity. GuttaFlow was slightly more cytotoxic to both cultures, especially when tested fresh. Conclusions Toxicity varied but RC Sealer and GuttaFlow were the least toxic new sealers.