Evaluation of Radiopacity of Calcium Silicate-Based and Resin-Based Materials Using Direct Digital Radiography Along...

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Endodontics
• Radiology

Background:

• Radiopacity is crucial for evaluating root canal sealer placement and quality via radiographs.
• Direct digital radiography and standardized protocols are essential for accurate radiopacity assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate and compare the radiopacity of calcium silicate-based and resin-based root canal sealers.
• To determine if tested materials meet the American National Standards Institute/American Dental Association (ANSI/ADA) radiopacity standards.

Main Methods:

• Tested materials: AH Plus, Apexit Plus, Biodentine, MTA Fillapex (disc form).
• Radiography: Direct digital radiography with an aluminum step wedge.
• Measurement: Grey-pixel values to determine radiopacity (mm Al Eq).

Main Results:

• All tested sealers met the minimum ANSI/ADA radiopacity standard (≥3mm Al Eq).
• AH Plus demonstrated the highest radiopacity, significantly exceeding other materials.
• Biodentine exhibited the lowest radiopacity, though still meeting the standard.

Conclusions:

• All evaluated root canal sealers are suitable for clinical use due to adequate radiopacity.
• Variations in radiopacity exist among materials, impacting radiographic visibility for treatment assessment.