Evaluation of the quality of the apical seal in Resilon/Epiphany and Gutta-Percha/AH Plus-filled root canals by using a fluid filtration approach

Abstract

This in vitro fluid filtration study compared the apical leakage of root canals that were obturated with Resilon/Epiphany (Resilon Research LLC, Madison, CT) or gutta-percha/AH Plus (GP/AH; DENTSPLY Tulsa, Tulsa, OK) sealer using warm vertical condensation. Fluid flow rate through the filled roots was measured 7 days after the obturations by using a fluid filtration device. Measurements were made before root resection and after 3 to 11 mm of resections. Before any removal of root length, there were no significant differences between the roots filled with Resilon/Epiphany or GP/AH. Analysis of individual root resection results revealed that differences in the fluid flow rate of the two systems occurred only when 9 or 10 mm of the roots were resected with more than half the root length resected when GP/AH Plus leaked more than Resilon/Epiphany. There were no significant differences in the fluid flow rate up to and including 8 mm of root resection. It is concluded Resilon/Epiphany sealed 17-mm root canals as well as gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer and that it does not create a monoblock root filling that does not leak.