COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF ROOT CANAL FILLING QUALITY OF NEWLY DEVELOPED ENDODONTIC SEALERS APPLIED USING GUTTA-PERCHA CONE MEDIATED ULTRASONIC ACTIVATION: AN IN-VITRO STUDY

Introduction: The aim of this study is to evaluate the root canal filling quality of newly developed endodontic sealers applied using Gutta- percha cone mediated ultrasonic activation. Materials and Methods: 50 freshly extracted mandibular premolars were selected. After access opening and instrumentation, root canal filling was carried out using, Endoseal MTA (EMS), Guttaflow BioSeal (GBS), and AH plus, with or without ultrasonic activation. Samples were sliced into coronal, middle and apical sections, perpendicular to long axis of the tooth and observed under a digital stereomicroscope for filling quality assessment, using a void score system. Data were analyzed by one way ANOVA and post hoc tests. Results: Apical thirds showed more voids compared to middle and coronal thirds in all five groups (p<0.05). Least voids were found in AH plus group using warm vertical compaction (APW) which was statistically significant (p<0.05). When EMS was used alone, it has higher voids compared to APW (p<0.05), but is as effective as APW when used along with ultrasonic activation. Ultrasonic activation has shown no effect on lowering void score in between EMS and GBS groups (p>0.05). APW group performed better than EBS and GBS group. Conclusion: Endoseal MTA is a potential sealing material with better void sealing ability comparable to AH Plus, when used under ultrasonic activation.