Development of new methodologies using micro-CT for evaluation of physicochemical properties of repair materials and endodontic sealers

Abstract

Endodontic materials should have physicochemical properties in accordance with ISO and ADA. Computed microtomography (Micro-CT) is a reproducible and precise technique. During the Master´s degree study, methods were developed for the analysis of material properties. At this stage, further analyzes are being proposed to define the ideal parameters for each property in studies using Micro-CT. The project is divided into subprojects. Subproject 1: aims to evaluate different models, from the proposal of the Master, to study the method of volumetric change evaluation for endodontic materials using Micro-CT. Specimens will be made of acrylic resin models with different dimensions for comparative analysis. The tested sealers will be AHPlus, Sealapex, Fill Canal, MTA, Biodentine and IRM. The scans will be performed after the setting of materials and at 7 and 30 days after immersion in distilled water. Subproject 2: aims to assess the volumetric change in Micro-CT using models according to Carvalho-Junior et al., 2007, idealized for conventional solubility test. The materials will be the same of subproject 1. The specimens will be scanned after setting and immersion in water for 7 and 30 days to obtain the volumetric change and comparison between different dimensions of the specimens. Subproject 3: aims to define flow analysis protocol from the proposal idealized during the Master, using Micro-CT. The materials of subprojects 1 and 2 will be assessed by the conventional test according to standard ISO 6876/2002. A glass device with a central cavity and four grooves in horizontal and vertical directions will be made to flow analysis in Micro CT. The flow of materials and its filling capacity of the central cavity and the side cavities will be evaluated. Subproject 4: The objective of this study will be a correlation between the volumetric change testing and solubility for calcium silicate biomaterials. BC Sealer, MTA Fillapex, Neo MTA and AHPlus will be used. After definitions of the best size of specimens to evaluate the volumetric change, solubility test (ISO 6876/2002) will be realized for correlation with volumetric testing. Subproject 5: aims to assess volumetric change in Micro-CT with images obtained at different resolutions. After definition of the best specimes size to evaluate the volumetric change, the scans will be performed using different resolutions: 5, 9 and 18 ¼m. A comparative analysis to define the best resolution, and analysis software using Micro-CT will be performed for evaluation of suggested properties. For all subprojects, data will be statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey tests, with a significance level of 5%. (AU)