Comparison of Tubular Penetration of AH26, EasySeal, and SureSeal Root Canal Sealers in Single-Rooted Teeth Using Scanning Electron Microscopy

Tubular penetration of root canal sealers prevents filling material displacement and overgrowth of microorganisms in dentinal tubules. The aim of this study was to compare the tubular penetration of AH26, EasySeal, and SureSeal sealers in single-rooted teeth using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fifty human single-rooted teeth were included in this experimental study. After root canal preparation, AH26 was used in group 1, EasySeal was used in group 2, and SureSeal was used in group 3 using the lateral condensation technique. Sections at 3 mm and 6 mm from the apex were prepared and subjected to SEM analysis. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), post hoc and paired t-tests were used to compare the deepest dentinal penetration of root canal sealers. The deepest tubular penetration at 3 mm from the apex was 0.85±0.19 mm in group 1, 1.32±0.21 mm in group 2, and 1.17±0.42 mm in group 3; the difference was significant (P=0.01). The deepest tubular penetration at 6 mm from the apex was 1.09±0.3 mm in group 1, 2.12±0.45 mm in group 2, and 1.88±0.43 mm in group 3; the difference was significant (P=0.0001). The mean deepest tubular penetration was lower at 3 mm from the apex compared to the penetration at 6 mm from the apex (P=0.02). It seems that tubular penetration of AH26 sealer is less than that of EasySeal and SureSeal at 3-mm and 6-mm sections.