EFFECT OF DIFFERENT TEMPERATURE AND PH VALUES OF EDTA ON SEALER PENETRATION INTO DENTINAL TUBULES: A PILOT STUDY WITH CONFOCAL LASER SCANNING MICROSCOPE

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of EDTA with different temperatures and pH values on the penetrabilityof a sealer into dentinal tubules by the confocal laser scanning microscope.Materials and Methods: Forty-four single rooted extracted mandibular premolars were used. The working length wasdetermined and then root canals were prepared with the Reciproc system. Before the final irrigation procedures, specimenswere randomly distributed into 4 groups according to the temperature and pH values of EDTA (n=11): 22°C pH: 7; 22°C pH 12;40°C pH 7; 40°C pH 12. Teeth were obturated using a labeled sealer mixed with 0.1% Rhodamine B and gutta percha as thecore material. Specimens were then sectioned at 2 and 7 mm from the apex. All the sections were examined under confocalmicroscope to calculate the dentinal tubule peneration area. The data were analysed using linear regression analysis and MannWhitney U tests.Results: The linear regression analysis demonstrated that temperature and area variables had the significant effect on sealerpenetration into dentinal tubules (p<0.05) among the variables (temperature, pH and area). 22°C of EDTA solutions has morepenetration area than 40°C of EDTA solutions (p<0.05) at the coronal. There were no statistically significantly differences at theapical. When total penetration areas were evaluated, coronal penetration was statistically significantly higher than apical(p<0.05).Conclusions: Within the limitation of this study, EDTA at room temperature is more effective than 40°C for chelating at thecoronal part of the root canals.