A STUDY ON THE RADIOPACITY OF ROOT CANAL SEALERS

근관충전용 시멘트의 방사선 불투과성에 관한 연구

The aim of this study was to establish reproducible method for measurements of radiopacity and to investigate the level of radiopacity of root canal sealers. The experiments were performed in two parts. In the first part, densitometric readings were performed using an aluminum step wedge as a reference at variable voltages and exposure times. Then standard curves for the aluminum step wedge were compared to comprehend the effect of voltage and exposure time. In the second part, on the basis of these results, appropriate conditions for exposure were adopted for standardized measurements of radiopacity. Under standardized set of conditions, densitometric measurements of ten root canal sealers and one gutta-percha point were performed and the levels of radiopacity referable to an equivalent thickness of aluminum were compared. The following results were obtained : 1. At 50 and 60 kVp, increasing the exposure time caused a decrease in the slope of the standard curve for the aluminum step wedge. However, at 70 kVp increasing the exposure time causing a parallel shift of the standard curve to the right. 2. At constant exposure time, increasing the voltage caused a decrease in the slope of the standard curve. 3. The radiopacity of root canal sealers and a gutta-percha point varied between 2.43 mm Al and 9.20 mm Al equivalent. 4. All the root canal sealers had radiopacities more than dentin, and the radiopacity of the gutta-percha point was approximately 5 times as much as that of dentin in terms of equivalent thickness of aluminum. 5. The AH26 had radiopacity more than the gutta-percha point, and the radiopacities of ZOE, Vitapex, Canals, Kerr PCS, Nogenol were similar to that of the gutta-percha point, and Tubliseal, Apatite II, Apatite III, Silapex were less radiopaque than the gutta-percha point.