Impact of intracanal calcium hydroxide or triple antibiotic paste on bond strength of root canal sealers: An in vitro study

Objectives:The aim of this study is to compare the effects of intracanal treatments with calcium hydroxide (CH) or triple antibiotic paste (TAP) on bond strength of a calcium silicate-based sealer (MTA Fillapex) and an epoxy resin- based sealer (MM Seal). Materials and Methods: Sixty extracted maxillary central incisors were prepared with a rotary system to size 40. The specimens were randomly divided into two groups, which received either intracanal CH or TAP. After rinsing, the teeth in each group were further divided into two additional groups, which were obturated with gutta percha and either the MTA Fillapex or MM Seal root canal sealer. Then, slices were obtained from three sections of the canal (coronal, middle, and apical). A push-out test was performed to measure the bond strength between the root canal dentin and the sealer. Results: The push-out bond strengths of the root canal sealers were significantly affected by the type of intracanal medicament. Both the sealers showed bond strengths that were nearly two-fold higher after TAP application than after CH application, and these results were independent of the position along the canal. Conclusions: The use of TAP rather than CH improves the bond strength of calcium silicate- and epoxy resin-based sealers throughout the root canal.