Differences in Penetration of Two Types of Calcium Silicate-Based Sealers with Ultrasonic Activation into Dentinal Tubules

Objective: To compare the penetration of premixed calcium silicate-based sealers (CSBS) and premixed calcium silicate pozzolan-based sealers (CSPBS) with and without ultrasonic activation into dentinal tubules. Material and Methods: Thirty-two samples of mandibular premolar teeth were divided into four groups: Group I: CSBS without ultrasonic activation; Group II: CSBS with ultrasonic activation; Group III: CSPBS without ultrasonic activation; Group IV: CSPBS with ultrasonic activation. Activation was done using an ultrasonic device (P-5 Newtron XS; Satelec, Mount Laurel, NJ) for 3 seconds. Sealer penetration was observed using a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM, Olympus Corporation, Tokyo, Japan), and the maximum penetration sealer was measured from the root canal wall to the point of maximum penetration using an ImageJ software (NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA) measuring instrument. Results: There was a significant difference in dentinal tubules’ penetration between CSBS and CSPBS with and without ultrasonic activation (p = 0.009). The mean penetration of CSBS was 638.13 µm, CSBS with ultrasonic activation was 651.50 µm, CSPBS was 580.13 µm, and CSPBS with ultrasonic activation was 914.25 µm. Conclusion: CSPBS with ultrasonic activation showed the best penetration into dentinal tubules.