In vitro longitudinal assessment of coronal discoloration from endodontic sealers

A major cause of tooth discoloration may be sealer remnants in the chamber. The objective of this study was to evaluate, longitudinally, coronal disco loration from four sealers. Extracted premolars were sectioned in the coron al third of the root. The chamber contents were removed and instrumentation was via the canal. The following sealers were bulk introduced into the cha mber: AH26, Kerr Pulp Canal Sealer, Roths 801 (nonstaining), and Sealapex. The apical access was sealed with white sticky wax. Teeth were maintained i n a moist environment at 37 degreesC. Initial (immediate pretreatment) digi tal images of the teeth were made for base line comparison. Subsequent imag es were at 1-, 3-, 9-, and 12-month intervals. Then images were mixed and d escriptively evaluated blindly by trained evaluators. Discoloration was ind uced by the four sealers, with slight to moderate visible changes that incr eased through 12 months. There was slightly more discoloration with AH26 an d Kerr Pulp Canal Sealer. In conclusion discoloration induced by the endodo ntic sealers produced slight to moderate and generally progressive discolor ation over 12 months.