Sealing Ability Comparison of Three Different Obturating Systems to Intraradicular Dentin-An In Vitro Stereomicroscopic Study

Abstract

Background: Different obturation techniques are being used to improve canal sealing, thereby minimizing marginal leakage.

Aims and objectives: To evaluate the marginal leakage of three different obturating materials and techniques using stereomicroscope.

Materials and methods: Thirty freshly extracted maxillary anterior teeth were collected and were divided into three groups of 10 each for which the biomechanical preparation was done. The teeth were divided into three experimental groups according to the obturation material and technique used, Group I: gutta-percha with AH Plus root canal sealer (lateral condensation): Group II: thermoplasticized gutta-percha technique-non-carrier-based (calamus) with AH Plus sealer (backfill): Group III: C point (self-sealing root canal obturating system) with bioceramic sealer (single cone). Each specimen was subjected for testing apical sealing ability. The values of microleakage associated with different root canal sealers were evaluated using a stereomicroscope.

Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the mean scores of apical dye penetration/leakage among all the three groups (P = 0.091), whereas Group I showed a higher degree of apical leakage than the other techniques tested.

Conclusion: None of the tested filling materials provided a gap-free or void-free root canal filling; however, thermoplasticized gutta-percha is used with AH Plus sealer exhibited less voids and gaps when compared to other tested materials.

Keywords: Gutta-percha; microleakage; root canal sealer apical sealing ability.

Graph 1

Bar graph representation of mean apical dye penetration among three groups