Biodegradation of Resilon Root Canal Filling Material ? An In Vitro Study

Aim: The purpose of this study was to compare the biodegradability of Resilon and Gutta percha root canal filling materials, when subjected to a mixed microbial flora of Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus epidermidis, which are organisms commonly found in failed root canal treatment cases. Materials and Method: 20 Gutta percha and 20 Resilon pellets were taken, examined under Scanning Electron Microscope and then divided into 4 groups of 10 samples each, Group I and Group II being Gutta percha and Resilon pellets respectively in TSB (Trypticase soy broth) medium without the addition of any microorganisms and Group III and Group IV being Gutta percha and Resilon pellets in TSB medium along with mixed bacterial flora. The pellets in each group were then incubated under aerobic, mesophilic conditions (370c) and retrieved at the end of 4 months. The Resilon and Gutta percha pellets from the four groups were then examined for topographical changes using field emission scanning electron microscope (1500x). Results: The results indicated that the Gutta percha pellets showed significant biodegradation in the form of well-defined surface pitting and erosions while the Resilon pellets showed only minimal surface degradation. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this in-vitro observational simulated field study, it can be concluded that gutta percha undergoes significant biodegradation in the presence of mixed microbial flora while resilon samples showed very minimal degradation. The tested microorganisms, may have enzyme systems capable of degrading Gutta percha, which requires further investigation.