Abstract
Objective The aim of this study is to determine the effect of the addition of benzalkonium
chloride and cetylpyridinium chloride in three commercial root canal sealers.
Materials and Methods Three different root canal sealers were used: EndoRez, N2, and Apexit Plus. The samples
were prepared by mixing the components according to the manufacturers’ guidelines
and adding 2% in weight of the antimicrobials to the newly mixed cement. The paste
was placed in molds and stored in an incubator (37°C, 24 h). The samples were then
stored in 5-mL distilled water. Samples without antimicrobials served as a control.
All samples were tested at 3 time intervals: 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month following
their storage in distilled water. The impact of the antimicrobials on the solubility
of the sealers, the release of chloride ions (Cl—), and the pH value were examined.
Statistical Analysis Analysis was done using one-way analysis of variance and the post hoc Tukey's honestly
significant difference test.
Results Chloride ions are present in storage media with EndoRez, N2, and Apexit Plus samples
(without antimicrobials) following all tested storage intervals. The addition of the
antimicrobials increased the release of chloride ions. Endodontic cements without
addition of antimicrobials show an increase in weight after 1 month. The highest pH
value is measured in Apexit Plus samples. The solutions in which N2 samples (with
and without addition of antimicrobials) were stored did not have a significant change
in their pH, while in the EndoRez solutions, a significant decrease in the pH value
after the first week was measured.
Conclusions The addition of antimicrobials might lead to improved characteristics of the root
canal sealers.
Keywords
benzalkonium chloride - chloride - pH - root canal sealers - solubility
