(PO130) Assessment of Antibacterial Effect and Flowability of Bioceramic Sealer Modified with BaTiO3 Piezoelectric Nanoparticles

Abstract: One of the main causes of endodontic treatment failures is the persistence of microorganisms within the root canal systems. Enterococcus faecalis, a facultative gram-positive coccus bacterium, is present in over one-third of the canals of teeth with persisting periapical lesions. Piezoelectric materials, such as BaTiO₃, have been newly incorporated into the dental field for their antimicrobial properties. These materials generate electric charges when subjected to mechanical loads, and certain studies propose that these charges may contribute to antibacterial effects. We aimed to assess the antimicrobial activity and flowability of calcium silicate root canal sealers with BaTiO₃ nanoparticles. BaTiO₃ nanoparticles were mixed with EndoSequence BioCeramic (BC) sealer in two different concentrations (5% and 10%wt). Flowability was analyzed according to ISO-6876. Twenty-five single-rooted extracted teeth were infected with Enterococcus faecalis for 7 days. Following the root canal treatment, the sealers (BC, BC+ BaTiO₃-5%, BC+ BaTiO₃-10%) were used for obturation. Untreated teeth were used as a positive control. All specimens were subjected to compression cyclic loading for 24 hours to activate the piezoelectric charges to resemble mastication forces. Cell viability (CFU/mL) was used to determine the number of bacteria at the bonded interface. ANOVA was used to analyze the difference among the groups. The addition of BaTiO₃ particles into the BC sealer resulted in a decrease in flowability (BC: 22mm, BC+ BaTiO₃-5%: 19.5mm, BC+ BaTiO₃-10%: 17.5mm). All sealers showed antibacterial activity. The addition of BaTiO₃ led to a significant decrease in the number of live bacterial cells (p < .05). Endodontic sealers with added BaTiO₃ enhance the antimicrobial effects of the BC sealer.