Toxicity of root canal sealers in vitro

Objective: To comparatively evaluate the cytotoxicity of EndoREZ (urethane dimethacrylate based), RoekoSEAL (silicone based) and Kalsogen Plus (ZOE based) sealers on HEK-293 (human embryonic kidney epithelial cells) and Vero (African green monkey kidney epithelial cells) cell lines in vitro. Materials and methods: Sealers EndoREZ, RoekoSEAL and Kalsogen Plus were mixed according to manufacturer’s instructions. Extract of these sealers were then treated with cultured cell (HEK-293 and Vero), cytotoxicity evaluated using MTT assay. Cytotoxicity between fresh and set specimens at 0h, 24h, 48h, 72h and 1wk time-interval were calculated. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS Version 15.0 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) statistical software package (p<0.05). Results: Extracts of Kalsogen Plus were more toxic, as compared to all other groups (p<0.05) on both cell lines. The mean value of EndoREZ was significantly lower as compared to all other groups on both cell lines. The mean value of RoekoSEAL was significantly higher as compared to EndoREZ but significantly lower as compared to Kalsogen Plus. Conclusion: Kalsogen Plus and RoekoSEAL were slightly cytotoxic while EndoREZ was non-cytotoxic on both cell lines. The cytotoxic response decreased in the order of Kalsogen Plus>RoekoSEAL>EndoREZ overtime.