Efficacy of Different Irrigation Activation Techniques on Dentinal Tubule Penetration of the Novel AH-Plus Bioceramic Sealer

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the penetration of AH-Plus (AHP) and AH-Plus Bioceramic (AHPB) sealers into dentinal tubules subsequent to different irrigation activation protocols. One hundred fifty teeth were divided into five groups according to the final irrigation protocol: conventional syringe irrigation (CSI), EndoActivator (EA), passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), Er,Cr:YSGG laser, and SWEEPS. Then, the teeth were divided into two subgroups (n = 15) according to the canal sealer type. The maximum penetration depth (MPD) point and percentage of the sealer were evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Then, the data were statistically analyzed. The highest MPD values were observed in the SWEEPS groups, while the lowest value was in the CSI groups. Considering the effect of the sealer type and irrigation protocol interaction, there was a significant difference between the Er,Cr:YSGG laser, and EA groups for the AHPB sealer (p < 0.05), while it was insignificant for the AHP sealer (p > 0.05). The AHP and AHPB sealers statistically presented similar penetration properties. Laser-activated irrigation presented a higher sealer penetration compared to the other techniques.