Does the Combination of Calcium Hydroxide and Chlorhexidine Gel Affect Dentinal Tubule Penetration of Epoxy Resin and Tricalcium Silicate-Based Sealers?

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.