A new root canal sealer based on calcium hydroxide

A new root canal sealer based on calcium hydroxide has been developed and two properties, sealing ability and biocompatibility, have been investigated in this study. Sealing ability was assessed by the extent of dye penetration along root fillings in extracted teeth. The sealing ability was good and similar to that of a control zinc oxide-eugenol sealer. Biocompatibility was assessed by histological examination of the periapical tissues of monkey teeth, either 1 or 6 months, after vital pulpectomy and immediate root filling with gutta-percha and sealer. Zinc oxide-eugenol was used as the control sealer. Normal periapical tissues were observed around all 24 teeth filled with the experimental root canal sealer. The study established that the new root canal sealer had acceptable properties of biocompatibility and sealing ability.