Experimental study of the biocompatibility of four root canal sealers and their influence on the zinc and calcium content of several tissues

Four root canal sealers (AH-26, Roth 811, CRCS, and Sealapex) were tested for tissue biocompatibility in rat connective tissue. Each sealer was placed in Teflon tubes and implanted subcutaneously in Wistar-Furth rats. The implants were removed after 7, 14, and 21 days, fixed, and histologically prepared for microscopical evaluation. Brain, liver, kidneys, and uterus were removed from the animals killed at the first experimental period (7 days) and analyzed for zinc and calcium concentration by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In total, 100 specimens were examined. At the seventh day, the most irritant material was seen to be AH-26, but this inflammatory reaction decreased with time. Roth 811 and Sealapex caused moderate-to-severe inflammatory reaction, whereas CRCS caused mild to moderate. CRCS and Roth 811 induced redistribution of zinc, whereas AH-26 induced changes in calcium content in some organs.