Fabrication and characterization of a bioactive glass and tricalcium silicate incorporated resin-based root canal sealer

Objective: To synthesize and characterize an experimental bioactive glass (BG) and tricalcium silicate (TCS) incorporated resin-based root canal sealer and compare its microstructural and elemental characteristics with that of unmodified AH plus and BioRoot RCS. Materials and Methods: BG 58S and TCS were incorporated into an epoxy resin sealer (AH Plus) at wt%; 2.5% BG + 5% TCS (Group I) and 5% BG + 5% TCS (Group II). Unmodified AH Plus (Group III) and BioRoot RCS (Group IV) served as controls. These sealers were characterized using the scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results: SEM images of Groups I and II revealed irregular polyhedral BG particles in resin matrix, with denser distribution in Group II. Increased silicon content was noted in Group II on EDS analysis. FTIR spectra of Groups I and II displayed reduced intensity of organic resin peaks compared with pure AH Plus, with characteristic Si–O stretching and P–O bending bands. XRD revealed sharper, more crystalline peaks in Groups I and II compared with Group III, while Group IV displayed highest crystallinity. Conclusion: BG and TCS incorporation into AH plus resulted in the enhancement of inorganic phase and crystallinity without altering the organic resin matrix framework suggesting improved bioactive potential of BG/TCS-modified resin sealer.