Evidence of improved bond strength of resin-based sealer with the use of natural antioxidants on hypochlorite treated dentin: an in vitro study

Aim. To evaluate the effect of natural antioxidants as final irrigants on the push-out bond strength of epoxy resin-based sealer to the hypochlorite treated dentin. Methods. Eighty single-rooted human mandibular incisors were prepared using ProTaper Gold (Dentsply, TN, USA) and an irrigation protocol including 3% NaOCl, followed by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and 3% NaOCl. The groups (n =20) were divided according to the final irrigant used: Group 1: None (Control); Group 2: 5% sodium ascorbate, Group 3: 5% grape seed extract (GSE); and Group 4: 5% pine bark extract. The obturation of root canals was performed using gutta‑percha and AH Plus (Dentsply DeTrey, Germany). Bond strength was evaluated using the push‑out test under the universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min, and statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA. The p-value significance was evaluated by Tukey’s post hoc test (p