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Assessment of apical and coronal root canal seals using contemporary endodontic obturation and restorative materials
S Davalou1, J L Gutmann, M H Nunn
1Department of Restorative Sciences, Graduate Endodontics, Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A. & M. University Health Science Center, Dallas 75246, USA.
Aim:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sealing ability of two contemporary endodontic obturation and restorative techniques and materials.
Methodology:
Seventy-nine extracted human single-rooted teeth were distributed randomly in two experimental groups of 36 and 37 specimens (groups 1 and 2, respectively), one group of three positive controls and one of three negative controls. The teeth were radiographed preoperatively, accessed, and instrumented. After smear layer removal, the teeth in group 1 were obturated using the System B and Obtura and were restored coronally with Core Paste using Tenure as a bonding agent. The teeth in group 2 were obturated using the Microseal technique and were restored coronally with amalgam using Panavia 21 as a bonding agent. All teeth in groups 1 and 2 were coated with three layers of nail varnish on all of their surfaces apart from the apical 4.0 mm and the coronal area above the cemento-enamel junction. The positive control teeth were obturated, restored coronally and completely coated with varnish, whereas the negative control teeth were not obturated, restored coronally, nor coated with varnish. The teeth were radiographed postoperatively and retained in saline solution for 10 days. For the next 10 days they were submerged in India ink. Subsequently all teeth were demineralized, dehydrated and rendered transparent. Dye penetration was measured using a stereomicroscope.
Results:
All materials and techniques provided minimal to zero dye penetration, apart from one specimen in the Core Paste group that showed 4.0 mm of dye penetration. The Wilcoxon rank sum test and t-test showed no statistically significant differences and all materials and techniques tested presented with a high degree of acceptability.
Conclusions:
It was concluded that these contemporary techniques and materials provide equally good results, but long-term studies are needed for outright inferences to be drawn relative to their clinical performance.