Cleaning Protocols for Bioceramic & Epoxy Resin Endodontic Sealers: Adhesion and Residue Removal

This study evaluated the effect of different chemo-mechanical cleaning protocols on the residual presence of epoxy resin-based and bioceramic endodontic sealers, as well as the bond strength of a universal adhesive system for cementing fiber posts to intraradicular dentin. A total of 160 bovine incisors were prepared using the ProTaper system and filled with either an epoxy resin-based sealer (Vioseal) or a bioceramic sealer (BioRoot RCS). Four cleaning protocols were tested: ethanol (ET), amyl acetate (AA), acetone (AC), and an experimental solution (EX) combining amyl acetate, ethanol, and acetone. Residual sealer was analyzed via scanning electron microscopy, and bond strength was assessed through push-out tests. Fracture patterns were examined under a stereomicroscope, and data were analyzed using ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests (α=5%). For epoxy resin-based sealers, AA and AC resulted in greater dentinal tubule opening than ET and EX (p<0.05), with AC leaving the least residue. Conversely, ET and EX showed higher residual presence. For bioceramic sealers, ET and EX achieved the greatest tubule opening (p<0.05). Bond strength was highest with ET in the apical third (epoxy sealer) and in the cervical third (bioceramic sealer) (p<0.05). Ethanol and the experimental solution effectively removed bioceramic sealer residues while preserving bond strength. Although epoxy resin-based sealers left more residue, all tested protocols provided satisfactory adhesion.