The main clinical requirements of a root canal sealer presented in the literature are good tissue
compatibility and a lasting tightness of the root canal. Tightness mainly depends on dimensional
stability like shrinkage, expansion and solubility as well as adhesion to both dentin and applied
cones. Additionally, good radio opacity and easy application of the material are expected.
With AH Plus, DENTSPLY DeTrey sets a further milestone in more than 50 years of research in
the area of endodontics. Maintaining the advantageous properties of the successful precursor
product AH 26 such as high radio opacity, low solubility, little shrinkage, and good tissue
compatibility, certain disadvantageous properties such as a tendency to discoloration and the
release of formaldehyde have been eliminated with AH Plus. The epoxide amine chemistry of
AH 26 has been retained. However, newly developed amines which are protected by patents
have been used. As a result of several innovations, with AH Plus it has been possible for the first
time to develop a thermoplastic root canal sealer which permits removal of the material, if
necessary. Another advantage of AH Plus is its application form: a paste-paste system, which
ensures rapid and clean mixing.
AH Plus consists of a paste-paste system, which is delivered in two tubes and in a new double
barrel syringe.
In addition to the diepoxide, the epoxide paste contains radio opaque fillers and Aerosil. The
amine paste consists of three different types of amines, radio opaque fillers and Aerosil.
AH Plus is characterised by very good mechanical properties, high radio opacity, little
polymerisation shrinkage, low solubility, and, not least, a high degree of stability on storage.
The radio opaque fillers used in AH Plus ensure an exceptionally good radio opacity of the
material, even when applied in very thin layers.
Tightness and insolubility of the polymerised material are relevant for the function of a root canal
sealer. These properties and the viscosity during application are directly dependent on the filler.
Therefore, finely ground calcium tungstate with an average particle size of 8 μm and finely ground
zirconium oxide of 1.5 μm average particle size are used.
The mixed and polymerised AH Plus has a filler content of 76 % in weight. The remaining
constituents are polymers, Aerosil, and the pigment.
With regard to the epoxide components which are capable of polymerisation and the resulting
addition cured polymers, the chemistry of AH Plus is based on AH 26, which has successfully
been used for more than 50 years. Nevertheless, AH Plus can rightly be described as an
innovative material, since a completely new thermoplastic material was created on the basis of
As already announced earlier, AH Plus is a two-component system consisting of two pastes. The
thermal polyaddition reaction starts immediately after the two components are mixed.
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