Abstract
CONTEXT: During endodontic treatment, sealers seal off dentinal tubules and prevent microbial attack. Bioceramic sealers have excellent bioactivity, but its high alkalinity is found to have detrimental effects on radicular collagen. Collagen cross linkers have the ability to chemically modify collagen and can prevent the detrimental effects of the sealer. AIM: This research was aimed to assess the effect of collagen cross-linking agents on the integrity of radicular collagen matrix and depth of penetration of sealer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mandibular premolars (n = 48) were taken. Teeth were decoronated; canals were prepared till ProTaper size F2 and were irrigated with 5 mL of 2.5% NaOCl, followed by 3 mL of 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid between instrumentation and finally rinsed with saline following which teeth were divided into three groups based on the surface treatments: Group 1: 6.5% proanthocyanin (PA), Group 2: chlorhexidine (CHX), and Group 3: saline. Teeth were obturated using gutta-percha and bioceramic sealer and stored in artificial saliva. Hydroxyproline (HYP) release was assessed after 14 and 21 days using spectrophotometer. Sealer penetration was assessed using the scanning electron microscope. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Kruskal-Wallis test for release of HYP and paired t-test and ANOVA for sealer penetration were performed. RESULTS: Significantly lower release of HYP was seen in proanthocyanin-treated group. Sealer penetration was better for both the proanthocyanin- and CHX-treated groups when compared to saline. CONCLUSION: Surface treatment with collagen cross-linkers caused a decrease in the amount of HYP released, indicating lesser degradation of collagen. Sealer penetration was better due to the removal of smear layer following the surface treatments.