ABSTRACT
Aim: This in-vitro study was conducted to evaluate the effect of 2 herbal extracts (Propolis, Neem) and calcium hydroxide, when used as intracanal medicaments, on the sealing ability of resin-based endodontic sealer. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 extracted, human, permanent, single-rooted, maxillary, anterior teeth with fully formed apices and straight roots were collected for this study. All specimens were coronally resected to a standardized length of 15 ± 1 mm and root canals were mechanically prepared using crown down technique. The prepared teeth were divided into five groups: Group I, Positive control (teeth were instrumented but not root-canal filled); Group II, No intracanal medicament was used; Group III, Propolis gel was used; Group IV, Neem gel was used; Group V, Injectable calcium hydroxide was used. Intracanal medicaments were left for 7 days after which they were removed, and the specimens were obturated using gutta percha with AH Plus sealer by cold lateral compaction technique. Sealing ability was assessed using dye extraction method. Statistical analysis was carried out by one-way analysis of variance followed by Post-hoc Tukey test. Results: The results showed that propolis group had better sealing ability than neem group but with no significant difference. Both propolis and neem medicated groups had statistically higher sealing ability for AH Plus sealer when compared to the calcium hydroxide medicated group. Conclusion: The authors concluded that Propolis and Neem intracanal medicaments can be used as alternatives to calcium hydroxide without relatively affecting the obturated root canal final seal.