Histological analysis of the biocompatibility of three different calcium hydroxide-based root canal sealers

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To histologically evaluate the behavior of the subcutaneous tissue of rats after placement of polyethylene tubes filled with calcium hydroxide-based root canal sealers (SealapexTM, ApexitTM e Sealer 26TM). STUDY DESIGN: The study employed 60 rats, which were divided into eight groups, being four experimental groups with 10 rats each, and four control groups with five rats. Analysis was conducted at 48 hours, 7, 21 and 60 days. RESULTS: Histological analysis revealed that all sealers were irritant; however, the intensity varied between each sealer and as a function of time. At the initial periods (48 hours and seven days), all materials demonstrated similar outcomes, with inflammatory reaction from severe to moderate, respectively. At the final periods (21 and 60 days), the tissue reactions to the implants containing SealapexTM displayed an active status yet with regression, compared to the ApexitTM and Sealer 26TM. The control groups exhibited less inflammatory cells than the experimental groups, keeping a reaction status with regression. CONCLUSIONS: The results achieved in this study revealed that the SealapexTM sealer was the most compatible, followed by ApexitTM and Sealer 26TM.