In vitro longitudinal assessment of coronal discoloration from endodontic sealers

A major cause of tooth discoloration may be sealer remnants in the chamber. The objective of this study was to evaluate, longitudinally, coronal discoloration from four sealers. Extracted premolars were sectioned in the coronal third of the root. The chamber contents were removed and instrumentation was via the canal. The following sealers were bulk introduced into the chamber: AH26, Kerr Pulp Canal Sealer, Roths 801 (nonstaining), and Sealapex. The apical access was sealed with white sticky wax. Teeth were maintained in a moist environment at 37 degrees C. Initial (immediate pretreatment) digital images of the teeth were made for base line comparison. Subsequent images were at 1-, 3-, 9-, and 12-month intervals. Then images were mixed and descriptively evaluated blindly by trained evaluators. Discoloration was induced by the four sealers, with slight to moderate visible changes that increased through 12 months. There was slightly more discoloration with AH26 and Kerr Pulp Canal Sealer. In conclusion discoloration induced by the endodontic sealers produced slight to moderate and generally progressive discoloration over 12 months.