Proliferation of Pathogenic Biofilms within Sealer-Root Dentin Interfaces is Affected by Sealer Type and Aging Period

Objective: To assess biofilm proliferation within the sealer-dentin interfaces of methacrylate resin-based sealers, self-etch (SE) and total-etch (TE), and an epoxy resin-based sealer (EP). Methods: Standardized human root specimens were filled with the test materials and were aged for 1 week, 1, 3 or 6 months in saline (n=3/group). Monoclonal biofilms of Enterococcus faecalis were grown on the specimens for 7 days in continuous media reactor. The extent of biofilm proliferation of E. faecalis within the sealer-dentin interface for each material at each incubation period was assessed using fluorescence microscopy of dihydroethidium-stained specimens. Results: TE had less biofilm proliferation than EP and SE (p<0.01). Deeper biofilm proliferation was detected in SE and EP specimens aged for 1 and 3 months than those aged for 1 week or 6 months (p<0.05). Conclusion: Self-etch and epoxy resin-based sealers were more susceptible to interfacial biofilm proliferation than total-etch system at shorter incubation periods.