PURPOSE: To simulate soft and hard tissues to assess radiopacity of three root canal sealers (Endofill, AH Plus and Sealer 26). METHODS: Five circular specimens (10x1 mm) were made and three experimental conditions were created. Situation #1: an aluminum step wedge allowed specimen being submitted to three digital radiographs. Situation #2: a retromolar mandibular segment containing the specimen was positioned between the digital sensor and X-ray machine. Situation #3: a soft tissue simulating material (utility wax - 30 mm) was associated with the mandibular segment. Mean gray values were measured using ImageTool 3.0 software. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05) was performed. RESULTS: Radiopacity increased when bone tissue was used (P<0.05), except for AH Plus. Situation #3 provided greater radiopacity (P<0.05). Radiopacity between most and least sealers decreased 44% when Situation #1 and #3 were compared. CONCLUSION: Simulated soft and hard tissues influenced the radiopacity of root canal sealers.
Radiopacity; soft and hard tissue; root canal sealers
