Evaluation of pH and calcium ion release at the simulated external root resorption cavities of teeth obturated with bioceramic sealer

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate pH and calcium ion release at the outer dentin surface of simulated external root resorption cavities after root canals obturated with bioceramic root canal sealer compared with those medicated with calcium hydroxide. Materials and Methods: Sixty extracted human single-rooted teeth were selected and instrumented. External root resorption cavities were prepared at the lingual surface of the root. The teeth were randomly divided into three groups: (1) Bioceramic sealer group, canals were obturated with gutta-percha and BioRoot sealer; (2) Calcium hydroxide group, canals were medicated with UltraCal XS; (3) Control group, canals were left empty. Thirty specimens were used for evaluation of pH at 7, 14, and 28 days (n = 10 per group) and the other 30 specimens were used for evaluation of calcium ion diffusion at 28 days (n = 10 per group). Results: Calcium hydroxide group showed the highest median pH value at all time points (7, 14, and 28 days). Both calcium hydroxide and bioceramic sealer groups showed significantly higher median pH values compared with control (p < .001). Comparing within groups, both bioceramic sealer group and calcium hydroxide group showed significantly decreased median pH over time, while the median pH of the control did not show any significant difference among Days 7, 14, and 28. Both calcium hydroxide and bioceramic sealer groups had significantly higher calcium ion release than control. Notably, bioceramic sealer group showed significantly higher calcium ion release than the calcium hydroxide group (p < .01). Conclusions: Root canals obturated with gutta-percha and bioceramic sealer showed high calcium ion levels at the simulated external root resorption cavities but did not show an extended period of alkaline pH.