In vitro evaluation of the effect of different endodontic sealers on retentive strength of fiber posts

Purpose: There is limited information in the literature regarding the effect of different endodontic sealers on the bond strength of fiber posts luted with core buildup materials. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of three different root canal sealers on the retentive strength of prefabricated fiber posts luted with a composite resin cement. Materials and Methods: Fifty-four extracted single-rooted mandibular premolar teeth were prepared and randomly divided into three groups. The first two groups were obturated with gutta-percha and one of two eugenolbased root canal sealers (Endofil, Tubli-Seal). The third group (control) was obturated with gutta-percha and a resin-based root canal sealer (AH26). Prefabricated fiber posts were luted into the prepared post spaces with a composite resin cement (Multicore Flow). The pullout forces required for dislodgment of posts from their prepared post spaces were recorded. Data were collected and statistically analyzed. Results: The AH26 group had significantly greater retentive strengths for the posts when compared with the Endofil and Tubli-Seal (eugenol-based sealers) groups (p<0.0001). There was no significant difference between the means of the retentive strengths for the Endofil and Tubli-Seal groups (p=0.745). Conclusion: The chemical formulation of root canal sealers significantly affected the retentive strength for prefabricated fiber posts luted with a resin cement. Eugenol-based sealers significantly reduced the bond strength of prefabricated fiber posts luted with resin cement.