Evaluation of solubility of Epiphany root canal sealant

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the dual curable dental resin composite sealer Epiphany in terms of solubility, based on ADA Specification No 57, and the levels of metal solubility by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Methods: For solubility, 1.5-mm thick cement samples measuring 20 mm in diameter were prepared and left to stand for a period corresponding to three times the setting time. The samples were weighed and immersed in 50 ml of deionized distilled water (pH+/-7.0). After seven days, the samples were removed, dried and weighed again to determine the mass loss of each sample, expressed as percentage of original mass. The mean value of five such determinations was taken as the film thickness of the material. At the end of this reaction period, the volume of 50 ml of deionized distilled water from solubility test was used to measure the metal solubility by atomic absorption spectrometry (APHA-AWWA-WPCF). Fifty milliliters of deionized distilled water was evaluated to verify the absence of metal in the solution (control group) (<0.001 mg/L). Chemical analysis comprised the metals Fe, Ni, Ca, Mg, Zn, Na, and K. Results: The mean value of solubility was 3.34%. For atomic absorption spectrometry: Fe (0.56 mg/L), Ni (0.06 mg/L), Ca (41.46 mg/L), Mg (0.80 mg/L), Zn (0.05 mg/L), Na (4.11 mg/L), and K (0.50 mg/L). Conclusions: We concluded that Epiphany sealer presented high values for solubility than ADA recommendations (3%) and an expressive calcium release during the experimental period.