Does the Combination of Calcium Hydroxide and Chlorhexidine Gel Affect Dentinal Tubule Penetration of Epoxy Resin and Tricalcium Silicate-Based Sealers?
Australian Endodontic Journal, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1111/aej.70093
- Journal Name: Australian Endodontic Journal
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biological Science Database (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Keywords: calcium hydroxide, calcium silicate-based sealer, chlorhexidine gel, confocal laser scanning microscopy, dentinal tubule penetration, resin-based sealer
- Lokman Hekim University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
This study evaluated effect of calcium hydroxide (CH) medicaments prepared with distilled water, glycerin and chlorhexidine (CHX) gel on dentinal tubule penetration of epoxy resin- and tricalcium silicate-based sealers using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Eighty single-rooted human teeth were included; 60 teeth were allocated to six experimental groups according to sealer type and CH vehicle, and 20 teeth served as control groups. After instrumentation and 7 days of CH application, medicaments were removed and canals were obturated with rhodamine B–labelled sealers. Following a 15-day setting period, samples were sectioned and analysed. Penetration depth and area were evaluated using two-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (p ≤ 0.05). CH vehicle type did not significantly influence sealer penetration (p > 0.05), whereas epoxy resin-based sealers demonstrated greater penetration depth and area compared to tricalcium silicate-based sealers (p < 0.05). Within study limitations, CHX gel did not adversely affect dentinal tubule penetration.