Archives of Current Research International

Aims: To evaluate the color change (ΔE) induced by the endodontic cements: Endofill (EF), Sealer 26 (S26) and MTA Fillapex (MTAF); as well as to investigate the impact of ultrasonic agitation (UA) on the degree of discoloration produced.

Methodology: Sixty bovine incisor blocks were prepared, in which circular cavities were created on the palatal surfaces, preserving a 2.0 mm thick dentin remnant. The specimens were distributed into six groups according to the endodontic cement and treatment employed. When present, ultrasonic agitation (UA) was performed using a smooth insert coupled to a piezoelectric device. Color parameter measurements were obtained using a Vita Easyshade spectrophotometer immediately after material insertion and restoration (T0), and subsequently at 7 (T1), 30 (T2), 60 (T3), 90 (T4), and 180 days (T5). Throughout the experimental period, the specimens remained immersed in 2 mL of saline solution and stored in an incubator at 37 °C. The statistical analysis of the data was conducted using the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests, adopting a significance level of 5%.

Results: It was found that, at 7 and 30 days, only the Endofill (EF) group without ultrasonic agitation (UA) exhibited ΔE values ​​greater than 3.7 (the limit considered clinically perceptible for color change). After 60 days, all cements evaluated showed ΔE above this threshold, indicating perceptible discoloration in all groups. Comparative analysis revealed statistically significant differences in discoloration among Endofill, Sealer 26 and MTA Fillapex, indicating that color alteration progressed consistently over time (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that, although only Endofill (EF) cement exhibited a perceptible color change in the initial periods, by the end of the evaluation all materials tested showed some degree of darkening. Furthermore, the use of ultrasonic agitation (UA) did not have a significant impact on the observed color variations.