Solubility of root‐canal sealers in water and artificial saliva

Abstract

Aim To compare the weight loss of eight different root‐canal sealers in water and in artificial saliva with different pH values. Methodology For standardized samples (n = 12 per group), ring moulds were filled with epoxy resin (AH 26, AH Plus)‐, silicone (RSA RoekoSeal)‐, calcium hydroxide (Apexit, Sealapex)‐, zinc oxide–eugenol (Aptal‐Harz)‐, glass‐ionomer (Ketac Endo)‐ and polyketone (Diaket)‐based sealers. These samples were immersed in double‐distilled water or artificial saliva with different pH values (7.0, 5.7 and 4.5) for 30 s, 1 min, 2 min, 5 min, 10 min, 20 min, 1 h, 2 h, 10 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 14 days and 28 days. Mean loss of weight was determined and analysed statistically using a one‐way anova and Student–Newman–Keuls test for all pairwise comparisons. Results Most sealers were of low solubility, although Sealapex, Aptal‐Harz and Ketac Endo showed a marked weight loss in all liquids. Even after 28 days of storage in water, AH 26, AH Plus, RSA RoekoSeal, and Diaket showed less than 3% weight loss. At exposure times greater than 14 days, Sealapex showed the significantly greatest weight loss of all sealers tested (P < 0.05). Aptal‐Harz and Ketac Endo were significantly more soluble in saliva (pH 4.5) than in water (P < 0.05). Conclusions Under the conditions of the present study, AH Plus showed the least weight loss of all sealers tested, independent of the solubility medium used. Sealapex, Aptal‐Harz and Ketac Endo had a marked weight loss in all liquids.