Radiological Outcome of Calcium Hydroxide as A Root Canal Sealer Constituent

Abstract

Background: The effectiveness of root canal sealers plays a crucial role in the success of endodontic treatments by preventing microbial leakage and promoting periapical healing. This study aimed to compare the radiological outcomes of calcium hydroxide-based sealers and zinc oxide eugenol sealers in treating teeth with periradicular pathosis.
Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at different private clinics, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from January 2019 to December 2019. A total of 60 permanent teeth with periradicular pathosis were randomly assigned into two groups: Group 1 (n=30), treated with zinc oxide eugenol sealer, and Group 2 (n=30), treated with calcium hydroxide-based sealer. Clinical evaluations were conducted on days 2 and 7 post-treatment, and radiological evaluations were performed at 3, 6, and 12 months. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.
Results: The majority of participants were aged 11-30 years, with a higher proportion of males in both groups. Trauma was the leading etiological factor, with maxillary teeth being more frequently affected. Group 2 showed significantly better radiological outcomes, with 80.00% exhibiting reduced periapical pathosis size at 3 months, compared to 26.67% in Group 1 (p < 0.001). At 6 months, 93.33% of Group 2 showed reduced pathosis size, compared to 60.00% in Group 1 (p = 0.002). At 12 months, 96.67% of Group 2 and 83.33% of Group 1 showed reduced pathosis size (p = 0.194). The final success rate was 96.67% in Group 2 and 86.67% in Group 1, with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.353).
Conclusion: Calcium hydroxide-based sealers provide superior radiological outcomes compared to zinc oxide eugenol sealers in the treatment of teeth with periradicular pathosis. These findings support the use of calcium hydroxide sealers for enhanced endodontic treatment outcomes.