COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF FRACTURE RESISTANCE OF ENDODONTICALLY TREATED TEETH USING DIFFERENT TYPES OF ROOT CANAL SEALERS: AN IN-VITRO STUDY

Introduction: Obturation materials are considered the key elements in supporting strength of endodontically treated teeth. Hence, along with gutta percha (GP) use of sealers strengthen the remaining tooth structure, thus increasing fracture resistance. Material and Methods: Eighty extracted single rooted mandibular premolar teeth were decoronated to standardized root length of 13mm. After confirming working length cleaning and shaping upto F2 file along with irrigation using 5ml 3% NaOCl, 5ml 17% EDTA and normal saline was done. Teeth were divided into 5 groups (n=16) depending upon type of sealer used for obturation along with gutta percha (GP) using lateral compaction technique. Group 1: Endoseal sealer, Group 2: AH Plus, Group 3: Apexit Plus, Group 4: Bio C Sealer, Group 5: Instrumented and unobturated (Control). Samples were stored for 7 days at 37 degree and 100% humidity for sealer to set completely. Samples were mounted vertically 3mm into acrylic resin block leaving 9mm of root length exposed. Fracture resistance was tested using Universal Testing Machine (UTM). Amount of force required for fracture was recorded in Newton. Data were analysed using SPSS 22.0 and oneway ANOVA and Post hoc Tukey test were used for statistical analysis. Result: The maximum fracture resistance was obtained in Group 4 Bio C sealer i.e. 418.81±21.06 N, followed by Group 2, Group 3 and Group 1. Least fracture resistance was obtained in Group 5. Conclusion: Bio C sealer provides the best fracture resistance to the endodontically treated teeth when compared with AH Plus, Apexit Plus and Endoseal.