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.