Resin-based sealing of root canals in endodontic therapy

This study evaluated the effect of the obturation technique on leakage, which may be the primary cause of failure in endodontic treatment. The apical seal and leakage behavior of teeth obturated with a resin-based sealer and gutta-percha alternative were compared to conventionally obturated teeth. Sound premolars (N = 10) were instrumented and treated by conventional root canal obturation. A second group (N = 10) was treated with the Resilon-Epiphany system and the remaining 10 roots were divided into two groups (N = 5) and obturated without sealer. A detector electrode was placed coronally in each root in contact with the obturation system and sealed in place and the apices were left patent. The teeth were immersed in 0.9% sodium chloride with a stainless steel counter electrode. A 20V potential was connected between the stainless steel and each tooth in turn with current flow determined by voltage drop across a standard resistor. Leakage was followed for 30 days and statistically analyzed for differences between groups. All teeth in Groups 1, 3A, and 38 (p > 0.05) leaked at 30 days. In Group 2, four roots showed no leakage, five roots showed minimal leakage, and one root exhibited a leakage current at a greater magnitude than the others in the group. A significant difference (p < 0.005) was found between Groups 1 and 2 but not between Group 1 and Groups 3A and 3B (p > 0.05) or between Group 2 and Groups 3A and 3B.