An in vitro evaluation of injectable thermoplasticized gutta-percha, glass ionomer, and amalgam when used as retrofilling materials

An in vitro dye leakage study was performed to evaluate the sealing ability of the following retrofilling materials: high- and low-temperature injectable thermoplasticized gutta-percha with and without sealer, a glass ionomer cement, and amalgam with and without varnish. The roots of 105 extracted human maxillary anterior teeth were instrumented and obturated with single cones of gutta-percha and sealer. The apical 3 mm of the roots were then resected and 2-mm deep retrograde preparations were prepared. Each root was then randomly placed into one of seven groups and retrofilled with one of the test materials. After 72 h in India ink, the roots were cleared and evaluated for leakage using a stereomicroscope. Statistical analysis of the results indicated that injectable high-temperature gutta-percha without sealer demonstrated significantly more leakage than the other materials. There were no significant differences in leakage among the other evaluated materials.