Sealing ability of a new hydroxyapatite-containing endodontic sealer using lateral condensation and thermatic compaction of gutta-percha, in vitro.

A new sealer that contains hydroxyapatite has been developed; the additive is assumed to influence apical healing, but it may also affect the sealing ability of the cement because of its composite structure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sealing ability of Bioseal and to compare it with that of another zinc oxide-eugenol sealer (Pulp Canal Sealer), using a lateral condensation technique and thermatic compaction of gutta-percha. The study was conducted on 42 straight roots, prepared to apical size 35 to 40 and randomly separated into four groups. After obturation, the roots were suspended for 1 wk in methylene blue and sectioned transversely for measuring penetration of the dye. In the roots filled with Bioseal, the mean penetration was 1.1 mm for lateral condensation and 1.5 mm for thermatic compaction. In the Pulp Canal Sealer groups, the values were 1.4 mm for both. The difference was not significant at the 5% level (Mann-Whitney U test), indicating that the additive did not adversely affect the sealing properties.