Efficacy and cytotoxicity of binary mixtures as root canal filling solvents

• Published in: Materials 2020-07, Vol.13 (14), p.3237
• Main Authors: Ferreira, Inês, Grenho, Liliana, Gomes, Pedro, Braga, A. C., Fernandes, Maria Helena, Lopes, Maria Ascensão, Pina-Vaz, Irene
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Binary mixtures; Biocompatibility; Biomedical materials; Chemical analysis; Chloroform; Cones; Cytotoxicity; Dissolution; Dynamic mechanical analysis; endodontic material; Endodontics; Fourier transforms; Infrared analysis; Mechanical properties; Methyl ethyl ketone; Oils & fats; Oranges; Osteoblasts; retreatment; root canal filling materials; Scanning electron microscopy; Science & Technology; Sealing compounds; Solvents; Stainless steels; Synergistic effect; Tetrachloroethylene; Topography; Toxicity; Ultrasonic agitation; Weight loss
• ISSN: 1996-1944; 1996-1944
• DOI: 10.3390/ma13143237

Objectives: This study reports the efficacy of two solvent mixtures on the dissolution of gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer, together with the cytotoxicity. Methods: Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), orange oil, tetrachloroethylene, MEK/tetrachloroethylene (1:1), MEK/orange oil (1:1), and chloroform (control) were tested. Twelve groups ( n = 15) of standardized stainless-steel molds filled with softened gutta-percha cones and twelve ( n = 15) filled with AH Plus were immersed in the corresponding mixture or individual solvent, in an ultrasonic bath, for either 2 or 5 min. The effect of the solvents was assessed qualitatively by a topographical analysis (scanning electron microscopy) and chemical analysis (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), and quantitatively by a weight loss and viscoelastic property (dynamic mechanical analysis) evaluation. The cytotoxicity was assessed on MG63 human osteoblastic cells. Results: The mixtures did not show the formation of new compounds. Both presented significantly higher efficacies compared to their individual solvents, suggesting a synergistic effect. Their dissolution efficacy was similar to that of chloroform, showing high cytocompatibility. Conclusions: The proposed strategy, incorporating ultrasound agitation and profiting from the synergy of adequate solvents, might enhance root canal cleanliness allowing a single-step procedure to dissolve gutta-percha and the sealer remnants, while assuring cytocompatibility with the periapical tissues. This article was supported by National Funds through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia,I.P.-V., within CINTESIS, R & D Unit (reference UIDB/4255/2020).