Adhesion of Epoxy Resin Based Endodontic Sealers to the Root Canal with and Without Smear Layer Removal

To study the adhesion of epoxy resin based endodontic sealers by determining the tensile bond strength and evaluating the effect of smear layer removal on the adhesion of the endodontic sealers. Root canals of freshly extracted mandibular first premolar teeth with single root canal, were instrumented by using rotary instrument The roots were prepared for adhesion by splitting them and embedding them in self cure acrylic block. The specimens were randomly divided into 4 groups of 10 teeth each according to the sealer used and their irrigation regimen. AH Plus and AH-26 sealers were compared for their adhesion with and without smear layer. The test specimens were subjected to a tensile force in a universal testing machine. Statistical analysis revealed that mean tensile bond strength of AH-26 increased after treatment with 17% EDTA .Conversely the tensile bond strength of AH Plus sealer decreased after the treatment with 17% EDTA. Different sealer types require different dentine pre-treatment’s for optimal adhesion.