Effect of exposure parameters on the radiopacity of root canal sealers

• Published in: Oral science international Vol. 10; no. 1; pp. 25 - 27
• Main Authors: Önem, Erinç, Baksı, B. Güniz, Şen, B. Hakan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2013
• Subjects: Endodontic sealer; Radiopacity; Storage phosphor plate; Endodontic sealer; Radiopacity; Storage phosphor plate
• ISSN: 1348-8643; 1881-4204
• DOI: 10.1016/S1348-8643(12)00051-1

The aim of this study was to test the effect of different kilovoltage, milliampere, and exposure time settings on the radiopacity of two endodontic sealers using an image plate system. MM-Seal (MicroMega, Besancon, France) and Diaket (3M Espe, Seefeld, Germany) were packed into a polytetrafluoroethylene ring mold with an internal diameter of 10mm and a depth of 1mm. Five discs of each material were imaged alongside an aluminum step-wedge. Sets of radiographs were obtained using storage phosphor plates (SPPs). The SPPs were exposed at 60, 65, or 70kVp, 7 or 8mA for 0.12 or 0.16s. Radiographic densities of the sealers and each step of the step-wedge were analyzed with Image Tool 3.0 SDK software (University of Texas Health Sciences Center, TX, USA). Three readings were made for each image. The mean was calculated to give the radiographic density expressed as mean gray values. Three-way ANOVA was used to test the differences in radiopacity of sealers with respect to kilovoltage, milliampere, exposure time, and the interaction of the three factors. No significant difference in sealers’ radiopacity was found with change in three exposure parameters (p>0.05). However, standard deviations of the measurements for lower exposures were greater; MM-Seal was significantly more radiopaque than Diaket (p<0.0001) at any parameter. Differences in kilovoltage, milliampere, and exposure time do not affect the radiopacity measurements of sealers on SPP images. However, choosing the proper exposure parameters may optimize the gray value range of the sealers allowing for better discrimination of the sealer and surrounding structures thereby providing better clinical guidance.