Root canal therapy mainly comprises steps like microbial control, cleaning and shaping, and effective sealing of the root canal system. The success of these steps depends on the execution of the final step i.e. the endodontic filling material as they are placed in vital tissues in the body. The main component of root canal filling material is the core material gutta-percha and the sealer to coat it. The root canal sealer fills the interface between the core and the dentin wall, the voids, and the accessory canals thus giving a tight seal.

Ideal properties of a root canal sealer:

The root canal sealer should be capable of creating a bond between the core material and the dentin thus preventing leakage.
It should be non-toxic
It should have a positive effect on the healing of periapical lesions
What dental sealers are used in endodontics?

It is a well-known fact that three-dimensional impervious obturation is of great importance for the success of root canal treatment. Different types of sealers are available like resin sealers, ZOE sealers, MTA sealers, Calcium hydroxide-containing sealers, and glass ionomer-containing sealers.

Uses of root canal sealer

Antibacterial property
Act as a lubricant for core material
Increase radio-opacity of the core material
Provide hermetic seal.
Which is the best root canal sealer?

An important aim of endodontic treatment is periapical tissue repair by forming cementum-like tissue. For this reason, the biocompatibility of root canal sealer has importance as it is placed directly in contact with the living tissue. If the sealer is applied properly, dental tissues respond better and aid in the success of the root canal procedure. Among the various types of sealers, which are available commercially, zinc oxide eugenol-containing sealers cause the moderate type of cytotoxic reactions. Also, the resin-based sealers show a cytotoxic reaction initially which decreases as the material sets. On the other side, Calcium hydroxide-containing root canal sealers are less cytotoxic compared to other sealers.

Can Calcuim hydroxide be used as root canal sealer?

Calcium hydroxide bases sealers are insoluble, and radio-opaque. It has excellent physical and biological properties. Calcium hydroxide-based sealers have been developed assuming that they prevent vitality of the pulp stump. Additionally, they stimulate healing and hard tissue formation at the apical wound.

An example of a calcium hydroxide-based sealer is Apexit plus, which has a base and the catalyst provided by the company Ivoclar.

Apexit Plus Root Canal Sealer:

Apexit Plus is a radiopaque, non-shrinking root canal sealer material that comprises calcium hydroxide as the main component. It is indicated for permanent obturation of the root canal and is suitable for use in conjunction with all obturation techniques involving gutta-percha.

Advantages of Apexit Plus:-

Excellent tissue tolerance
The property of light setting expansion makes it a durable sealer
Due to good flow properties, it allows the material to adapt well even to tortuous or narrow canals
The syringe is convenient to use (it’s an auto-mix syringe with an intracanal tip that enables direct application)
The material has a long working time, so can be used over 3 hours at room temperature without worrying about setting time

Conclusion:

There is no sealer perfect out there and sometimes we need to decide the type of dental sealer to be used based on the clinical case. The quality of different sealers should be considered as the efficiency of the sealer and the anatomy of the roots influence the success and survival of the root canal treatment.