A Comparative Analysis of Cytotoxicity of Three Different Root Canal Sealers

Aim: This study aims to evaluate Well-Root ST in comparison with CeraSeal and AH Plus regarding cytotoxicity using (MTT) assay on human epithelial type 2 (HEp-2) cells. Materials and Methods: Teflon mold was used to fabricate disc samples of each root canal sealer. Samples were divided into 3 groups: group (A) (Well-Root ST), group (B) (Ceraseal) and group (C) (AH Plus) in two evaluation periods (24h and 72h). All samples of root canal sealers were mixed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and the discs were allowed to set in a at 37°C for 24 hours before extraction. Extract collected at each time point was diluted to various concentrations of 12.5%, 25%, 50% and 100% with DMEM to create a total of four different concentrations of each extract. DMEM incubated for 24 hours served as the control. (HEp-2) cell line was seeded in 96 well micro-titer plates and cultures were then subjected to 100 μL of the (12.5%, 25%, 50% and 100%) extracts medium while cell cultures with supplemented DMEM were used as controls. The plates were left in the incubator for 24 or 72 h before the cytotoxicity evaluation was carried out by (MTT) assay. Viability percentage was calculated and cytotoxicity was evaluated by rating according to cell viability relative to control group, non-cytotoxic (more than 90%), slightly cytotoxic (from 60 to 90%), moderately cytotoxic (from 30 to 59%) and severely cytotoxic (less than 30%) cell viability. Statistics: Data were collected, tabulated and statistically analyzed using one way ANOVA test and Bonferroni's post-hoc test. Results: According to evaluation time, Well-Root ST showed the highest viability values in all concentration percentages at both intervals (24 and 72 hours) while AH plus showed the least viability values. According to concentration percentage, The viability increased with decreasing the concentration in all tested groups. Conclusion: The evaluated root canal sealers showed varying degrees of cytotoxicity. However, Well-Root ST was associated with significantly highest cell viability percentages. 1- AH plus significantly showed less cell viability in comparison to calcium silicate-based root canal sealers.