Root canal sealers play an important role in the obturation of the prepared root canal system, as described in Part 8. Although many proprietary products are available (Fig. 23), they may generally be divided into three groups, according to their main constituents: eugenol, non-eugenol and medicated.
Eugenol
The eugenol-containing group may be divided into sealers based on the Rickert s formula (1931) and those based on Grossman s (1958) (Table 1). The essential difference between the two groups is that Rickert s contains precipitated silver and Grossman s has a barium or bismuth salt as the radiopacifier. The disadvantage of Rickert s sealer is that the silver will stain dentine a dark grey. One of the most widely used sealers in this group is Tubliseal, a twopaste system and, consequently, simple to mix; it does not contain silver. Tubliseal EWT (extended working time) is preferred.
Eugenol
The eugenol-containing group may be divided into sealers based on the Rickert s formula (1931) and those based on Grossman s (1958) (Table 1). The essential difference between the two groups is that Rickert s contains precipitated silver and Grossman s has a barium or bismuth salt as the radiopacifier. The disadvantage of Rickert s sealer is that the silver will stain dentine a dark grey. One of the most widely used sealers in this group is Tubliseal, a twopaste system and, consequently, simple to mix; it does not contain silver. Tubliseal EWT (extended working time) is preferred.