The Penetration of RealSeal Primer and Tubliseal into Root Canal Dentinal Tubules: a Confocal Microscopic Study

Aim: To compare penetration depth into dentinal tubules of RealSeal with that of a well-established endodontic sealer (Tubliseal) by means of confocal microscopy.

Methodology: Twenty sound extracted, single-rooted premolars were selected. Following completion of root canal instrumentation, the teeth were divided into two groups using a stratified sampling method, ranking teeth according to size. In group 1, 10 teeth were filled with Gutta-percha and Tubliseal using cold lateral condensation. In group 2, 10 teeth were filled with RealSeal. Both sealers were labelled with Rhodamine B dye. The teeth were sectioned parallel to their long axis resulting in 20 specimens per group. Confocal microscopy was used to assess the penetration depths of the sealers at three sites for each specimen (coronal, middle and apical). Data were analysed statistically using Stata Release 9.1.

Results: The penetration depth of RealSeal in each one of the thirds of the root canal was found to be higher than that of Tubliseal (P < 0.05). The penetration depths of the two sealers was found to be significantly different (P = 0.001). The mean penetration value for the RealSeal group was 908.8 microm whereas the mean value for the Tubliseal group was 139.5 microm.

Conclusions: The penetration depth of RealSeal into the root dentinal tubules is significantly greater than that of Tubliseal.