The effect of formalin storage on the apical microleakage of obturated canals

Infection control guidelines recommend disinfection of extracted teeth in 10% formalin for 2 weeks before use. Although extracted teeth are routinely used for in vitro endodontic research, the potential influence of formalin has not been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of formalin storage on the apical seal integrity of obturated canals. There were 100 single-rooted human teeth decoronated, accessed, and randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 was composed of specimens that were instrumented and obturated after extraction without storage in formalin. Groups 2, 3, and 4 were stored in formalin for 2, 4, and 8 weeks, respectively, before treatment. Canals were instrumented to a master apical file size #7 ProFile .04 Taper Series 29 and obturated with Obtura II thermoplasticized gutta-percha and Roth 801 sealer. The teeth were immersed in India ink, cleared, and the greatest extent of linear dye leakage was measured. Microleakage testing displayed significantly less microleakage after 2 and 4 weeks of formalin storage. Leakage measurements after 4 weeks of storage were 62.3% lower than nonfixed specimens. The 8-week storage group demonstrated lower dye penetration compared with the nonfixed group; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Within the scope of this study, storage of extracted teeth in formalin for 2 and 4 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in apical microleakage compared with nonfixed specimens.