Conversion of endodontic sealer modified with nanoparticles carrying antibacterial drugs

Abstract

Purpose/aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the polymeric conversion of a commercial endodontic sealer modified with montmorillonite nanoparticles carrying to different antibacterial drugs: clorhexidine (CHX) and metronidazole (MET).

Materials and methods: The sealer used was AH Plus sealer, and 5% in weight was added of the nanoparticles carrying one of the drugs CHX or MET. Cylindrical specimens were made with 5 mm diameter and 1 mm thick (n = 5). The degree of conversion (DC) was determined using near FTIR. DC was evaluated using the absorption peak at 4529 cm−1 that decrease during polymerization, and the absorption peak at 4623 cm−1 which is unaltered as normalization. The measurements were obtained for each sample immediately, 4 h and 24 h after mixing the two pastes of the sealer. A group with no modification by the nanoparticle was added as a control. The data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA/Tukey (α = 5%).

Results: Results are presented in Table 1.

Table 1. Means (SD) for degree of conversion (%) at 4 and 24 h. No statistical difference was presented among groups for neither periods of evaluation.

Drug DC (%) 4 h 24 h Control 35 (11) A 68 (8) A CHX 31 (11) A 81 (11) A MET 38 (6) A 77 (14) A Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study it can be concluded that addition of the nanoparticle carrying both drug did not influence the polymerization of the sealer.