Micro-CT analysis of filling ability and porosity of root-end filling materials

Filling ability of retrograde cavity and porosity are important properties for root-end filling materials and may be evaluated by using microcomputed tomography (micro-CT).

Objective

To evaluate filling ability and porosity of root-end filling materials using microcomputed tomography (micro-CT).

Material and method

Cavities with 1 mm internal diameter and 3 mm depth were prepared in bovine dentin sections by using ultrasonic tips (CVD No. 6.1107-6), and filled by Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA); Sealer 26 (S26) and zinc oxide and eugenol cement (ZOE). Before and after filling, cavities were scanned by using micro-CT (SkyScan 1176). Filling and porosity were analyzed by using CTAn software. Filling ability was calculated based on volumetric percentage of the filled cavity. The number and percentage of closed pores were measured throughout entire extension of the filled cavity (total) and in each third (cervical, middle and apical), by using bi and tridimensional analyses. The filling data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey statistical tests, and porosity data to Kruskall-Wallis and Dunn tests, at a 5% significance level.

Result

S26 and ZOE presented higher filling ability than MTA (p<0.05). S26 showed the highest total porosity (number and percentage) (p<0.05). In all thirds after 2D and 3D analyses, porosity was higher for S26 in comparison to MTA and ZOE (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Although Sealer 26 presented more porosity, the material was associated with a great filling ability. Micro-CT analysis showed no correlation between filling ability and porosity.

Descriptors:
X-Ray Microtomography; porosity; dental materials; endodontics

	MTA	Sealer 26	ZOE
Mean filling	75.66 (8.854)^b	84.46 (1.959)^a	84.07 (5.220)^a

Materials				MTA	Sealer 26	ZOE
Total porosity
No. of closed pores		2D		0.5^a 2.62^a 1.24^a 0.04^a	3.12^b 12.89^b 5.08^b 2.49^b	0.5^a 4.37^a 0.67^a 0.19^a
No. of closed pores		3D
No. of closed pores		2D
No. of closed pores		3D
Porosity per thirds
Cervical Third	No. of closed pores		2D	0.25^a 2.0^a	5.62^b 22.13^b	0.5^a 2.5^a
	No. of closed pores		3D	0.25^a 2.0^a	5.62^b 22.13^b	0.5^a 2.5^a
	No. of closed pores		2D 3D	0.88^a 0.24^a	6.71^b 1.46^b	0.63^a 0.94^a
Middle third	No. of closed pores		2D	0.0^a 0.0^a	4.5^b 27.38^b	0.12^a 0.12^a
	No. of closed pores		3D	0.0^a 0.0^a	4.5^b 27.38^b	0.12^a 0.12^a
	No. of closed pores		2D	0.0^a 0.0^a	4.59^b 2.2^b	0.31^a 0.02^a
	No. of closed pores		3D	0.0^a 0.0^a	4.59^b 2.2^b	0.31^a 0.02^a
Apical third	No. of closed pores		2D	0.0^a 0.0^a	3.37^b 18.75^b	0.0^a 0.0^a
	No. of closed pores		3D	0.0^a 0.0^a	3.37^b 18.75^b	0.0^a 0.0^a
	No. of closed pores		2D	0.0^a 0.0^a	3.43^b 1.77^b	0.0^a 0.0^a
	No. of closed pores		3D	0.0^a 0.0^a	3.43^b 1.77^b	0.0^a 0.0^a

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E-mail: adriana@foar.unesp.br

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[1] CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS The authors declare no conflicts of interest.