Effect of intracanal medicaments on the sealing ability of TERM

An in vitro leakage study was performed to determine the effect of intracanal medicaments on the sealing ability of Temporary Endodontic Restorative Material (TERM). Fifty extracted mandibular molars with uniform access preparations were restored with TERM after placement of either a dry cotton pellet (control) or a pellet moistened with eugenol, formocresol, CMCP, or a paste of sodium perborate and superoxol. Multiple quantitative measurements were made on each intact specimen at five time intervals after restoration, and, in some cases, after thermocycling. Statistical analysis revealed no significant leakage in the control group, or in the groups which used eugenol, formocresol, or CMCP when they were compared with the control group. Analysis, however, did show significant leakage for the group containing the bleaching paste. The authors concluded that the sealing ability of TERM is not affected by eugenol, formocresol, or CMCP. However, it should not be used for the temporary restoration of teeth being treated by the walking bleach technique.