Apical microleakage of primary teeth root canal filling materials

The objective of this study was to evaluate in vitro apical microleakage of root canal filling materials for primary teeth.

Fifty extracted primary anterior teeth were distributed into 6 groups: 4 experimental groups; 1 negative control group; and 1 positive control group. Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE), Kri paste, calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)(2)), and Vitapex were inserted into the canal using a lentulo spiral mounted in a slow-speed handpiece. All teeth were then subjected to a dye leakage test using 2% methylene blue as the tracer.

The highest dye penetration was recorded for teeth filled with ZOE, with mean values of 9.01+/-1.23 mm. Vitapex showed the lowest dye penetration, with mean values of 4.02+/-1.79 mm. Comparison between groups showed significant difference when the Vitapex and Kri paste groups were compared to the ZOE group (P<.0001). Also, a significant difference between the Vitapex and Ca(OH)2 group (P=.014) was detected. The result showed no difference between Vitapex and Kri paste (P=.658) nor between Kri paste and Ca(OH)(2) (P=.185).

All the resorbable root canal filling materials used in primary teeth showed apical leakage. The highest apical leakage was recorded for ZOE, while Vitapex showed minimum dye leakage.