(PR110) Evaluation of the Solubility of Two Bioceramic Sealers: ZenSeal™ and EndoSequence® BC Sealers

Objectives: Calcium-silicate-based cement (CSC) pre-mixed sealers are commonly used in root canal therapy due to their proven biocompatibility and bioactivity. However, their physical properties differ due to varying mixtures of binders, bioceramic particles, and radio-opacifiers. Solubility is an important physical property as excessive solubility may allow bacterial leakage and diminished success. This study compares the solubility of ZenSeal (ZS_BCS) and EndoSequence BC sealers (ES_BCS) using the ISO 6876;2012 protocol.

Methods: ZS_BCS and ES_BCS specimens were fabricated to test solubility, each measuring 20±0.1 mm in diameter and 1.5±0.1 mm in height (n=6). Each sample was allowed to set for 24 hours at 37°C in an environment with over 95% humidity before being weighed to the nearest 0.001 g. The samples were then placed in deionized water for 24 hours. Later, the water was evaporated at 110°C until a constant mass was achieved. The difference in mass before and after drying, representing the amount of material lost from the sample, was calculated as a percentage of the original combined mass to determine material solubility. A Student's t-test was conducted to assess statistical significance.

Results: The solubility percentage for ZenSeal was 2.4% (1.2), while ES_BCS was 1.5% (0.4). Both sealer groups are within the ISO threshold of 3% weight loss, and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusion: ZenSeal_BCS and EndoSequence_BCS demonstrate similar solubility, indicating material dissolved over time. Further research on binders, particle-size ratios, and radio-opacifier types in different conditions is needed to understand their clinical significance better.