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Residual Endodontic Filling Material after Post Space Preparation: A Confocal Microscopic Study
Yu-Yao Teoh1, Laurence J Walsh2
1School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland, Herston, Brisbane QLD 4006, Australia. yuyao.teoh@uqconnect.edu.au.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|November 22, 2017
Summary
Removing endodontic filling materials varies by type. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) cement is hardest to remove, while calcium hydroxide cement is easiest. Epoxy resin sealers leave significant remnants after post space preparation.
Area of Science:
- Endodontics
- Dental Materials Science
- Restorative Dentistry
Background:
- Effective post space preparation requires thorough removal of root canal filling materials.
- Different endodontic filling materials, including mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) cements, epoxy resin sealers, and calcium hydroxide cements, present varying challenges for removal.
- Confocal microscopy offers a quantitative method to assess the cleanliness of post spaces after instrumentation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the removability of different endodontic filling materials (MTA cements, epoxy resin sealers, calcium hydroxide cement) from root canals.
- To quantify the amount of residual filling material remaining on canal walls after post space preparation using a standardized drilling protocol.
- To evaluate the impact of material type on the cleanliness of post spaces.
Main Methods:
- Extracted teeth with single canals were prepared and obturated with gutta-percha and various sealers (epoxy resin, MTA, calcium hydroxide cement).
- Materials were labeled with sodium fluorescein for visualization.
- Post spaces were created using a #3 ParaPost™ drill, and root slices were analyzed using confocal microscopy to quantify remaining material.
Main Results:
- The removability of endodontic materials significantly varied, with calcium hydroxide cement being the easiest and MTA the most difficult to remove.
- Epoxy resin-based sealers resulted in substantial remnants, coating nearly half of the accessible canal walls after post space preparation.
- Confocal microscopy effectively quantified residual material, highlighting differences in post-instrumentation cleanliness based on the initial filling material.
Conclusions:
- Material choice critically influences the ease of post space preparation and the cleanliness of the root canal.
- MTA cements pose the greatest challenge for removal, whereas calcium hydroxide cements are readily removed.
- Dentists should consider the removability characteristics of endodontic filling materials when selecting them for root canal obturation to ensure effective post space preparation.
