Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficacy and Adaptability to Root Canal Dentin of Bioceramic Sealer Containing Nanoparticles (In-vitro Study)

Introduction:The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy and adaptability to root canal dentin of bioceramic sealer incorporated with nanoparticles.Materials and Methods:Silver and chitosan nanoparticles were added to Totalfill BC sealer with concentrations of 2.3 % and 15% by volume respectively.Adaptability to root dentin was evaluated using thirty singlerooted human teeth, prepared and obturated using lateral condensation technique.Samples were longitudinally sectioned and the gap area (by %) was reported using stereomicroscope x45 and scanning electron microscope x1000.The antimicrobial activity was assessed on E. faecalis using direct contact test after the setting of the sealer under spectrophotometer to assess the bacteriostatic activity of the tested materials.Data showed parametric distribution so one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test was used for intergroup comparisons and repeated measures ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post hoc test was used for intragroup comparisons.Results: The adaptability test using SEM showed that the highest gap value was found in BC + Silver NP (0.59±0.27), followed by BC (0.29±0.15), while the lowest gap value was found in BC + Chitosan NP (0.22±0.16).Post hoc pairwise comparisons showed BC + Silver NP to have a significantly higher gap value than other groups.Direct contact test showed the highest value representing highest bacterial growth was found in BC + Chitosan NP (0.19±0.01), followed by BC (0.18±0.01), while the lowest value representing lowest bacterial growth was found in BC + Silver NP (0.17±0.01).Post hoc pairwise comparisons showed BC + Chitosan NP to have a significantly higher value than other groups (p<0.001).Conclusion: Incorporation of nanoparticles can significantly improve the bioceramic sealer's properties.