Objectives: The aim of this in vivo study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of a new glass-ionomer cement (GIC)-based endodontic sealer (KT-308, GC), which is of a water-hardening type, and a conventional ZOE-based endodontic sealer (Canals, Showa) as a control. Methods: The materials were freshly mixed and implanted into the cavity created in the mandibular bone of rats. After 3 and 20 days, the animals were sacrificed for histological examination under light (LM) and electron (EM) microscopies. Results: LM results showed no inflammation in the surrounding tissue of GIC sealer. By contrast, ZOE sealer elicited a severe inflammation including marked neutrophilic infiltration. At 20 days most parts of ZOE sealer were lost and replaced with a fibrous tissue. EM analysis revealed that GIC sealer was in direct contact with the bone surface and that numerous macrophages engulfing ZOE particles were present in the vicinity of disintegrated ZOE sealer. Conclusions: It was concluded that the newly developed, GIC-based root canal sealer possesses more biocompatible property than conventional ZOE-based sealer. The water-hardening property and low solubility of GIC sealer used might be useful to prevent initial inflammatory reactions.

Back to the Dental Materials: VIII - Others-Non-metallic Program
Back to the 81st General Session of the International Association for Dental Research (June 25-28, 2003)

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