Comparative analysis between resin-based root canal sealer and recent bioceramic-based root canal sealers using MicroCT, film thickness, and solubility

Background: This study is aimed at evaluating the sealing quality of the single cone obturation technique with resin-based root canal sealers (ADseal root canal sealers, control group) and the novel hydraulic bioceramic-based sealers (Fill Root ST and AH Plus Bioceramic sealers). The assessment was performed by micro-CT void analysis. In addition, film thickness and solubility of the sealers were also evaluated. Materials and methods: Voids were evaluated on clear acrylic resin blocks with a standard artificial root canal model using micro-CT. Physical analysis of the sealers assessed film thickness and solubility. Statistical analysis included one-way ANOVA with Tukey's post-hoc test for multiple comparisons and repeated measure ANOVA for related samples. Results: The AH Plus Bioceramic Sealer exhibited the least canal voids (5.70 %), while the Fill Root ST had intermediate voids, and ADseal had the highest (p < 0.001). The coronal third had the most voids, followed by the middle and apical thirds (p < 0.001). AH Plus Bioceramic Sealer had the thinnest film thickness (19.3 μm), followed by Fill Root ST (42.7 μm), and ADseal (81.7 μm) (p < 0.001). In solubility, ADseal had the lowest (0.9 %), Fill Root ST the highest (2.4 %), and AH Plus Bioceramic intermediate (1.5 %) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The bioceramic-based sealers (Fill Root ST and AH Plus Bioceramic) showed superior performance compared to ADseal in terms of void formation and film thickness, with voids most frequent in the coronal third and least in the apical third.