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Aim: To analyse several physicochemical properties of AH Plus (Dentsply DeTrey, Konstanz, Germany), including setting time, flow, radiopacity and the degree of conversion (DC); and to correlate the results with the source of the material: from the beginning, middle or end of the tubes in which they were supplied., Methodology: Three experimental groups were established for each property investigated. Group 1 corresponded to material taken from the beginning of tubes A and B; Group 2 corresponded to material taken from the middle of each tube; and group 3 corresponded to that from the end of each tube. The setting time, flow and radiopacity were studied according to American National Standards Institute/American Dental Association (ANSI/ADA) Specification 57. DC was determined from infrared spectra, which were recorded at 1-h intervals for the first 6 h; then, at 2-h intervals for the next 14 h; then, at 24 and 30 h. Data were analysed statistically by analysis of variance (anova), Tukey-Kramer, Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests, with a significance level of 5%., Results: Group 1 had a significantly longer setting time (2303 ± 1058 min) (P < 0.05). Group 3 had the lowest flowability (30.0 ± 0.7 mm) and the highest radiopacity (14.85 ± 1.8 mm Al) (P < 0.05). No differences were found for the DC test (P > 0.05)., Conclusion: The results suggest that segregation occurs between the organic and inorganic components of AH Plus sealer, thereby changing the setting time, flow and radiopacity., (© 2012 International Endodontic Journal.)

Aim: To compare in vitro the pH and calcium ion release provided by pure and calcium hydroxide-containing AHPlus., Method: Pure and modified AHPlus, the latter containing 5 and 10% (w/w) calcium hydroxide added during spatulation, were used. The material was spatulated and stored in 10 tubes that were 1 cm long and 1.5 mm in diameter, and then immersed in 20 mL deionized water before the materials had set. Ten tubes with zinc oxide and eugenol were used as controls. Four millilitres of water was removed from the flasks after 24 and 48 h, and after 7, 14 and 30 days, and pH and calcium release were measured with a pH meter and by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, respectively. The results obtained at each time point were compared statistically., Results: A more alkaline pH for AHPlus supplemented with 5 and 10% calcium hydroxide was recorded when compared to pure AHPlus; there were significant differences at 14 and 30 days (P<0.05). The results of calcium ion release showed no significant difference between pure AHPlus and zinc oxide plus eugenol (P>0.05). The comparisons between the AHPlus containing 10% calcium hydroxide with AHPlus containing 5% calcium hydroxide, pure AHPlus, zinc oxide plus eugenol demonstrated significant differences (P<0.05) at all periods. The comparisons between AHPlus containing 5% calcium hydroxide with pure AHPlus and zinc oxide plus eugenol demonstrated significant differences (P<0.05) at all periods of evaluation., Conclusions: The addition of 5 and 10% calcium hydroxide to AHPlus cement favoured a more alkaline pH and greater calcium ion release.