Microleakage of five temporary endodontic restorative materials

This study evaluated the ability of five interim endodontic restorative materials to resist microleakage. Sixty extracted human molars were prepared for initial endodontic therapy via occlusal access preparations. After removal of the pulpal tissue, a cotton pellet was placed in the pulp chamber. The access preparations were sealed with one of the following materials or combinations: TERM, Cavit, IRM, Ketac-Silver, or a IRM-Cavit "sandwich" restoration. The specimens were thermocycled for 24 hours (800 cycles), immersed in methylene blue dye for 4 hours, sectioned, and evaluated under a microscope for microleakage. TERM, Cavit, and the IRM-Cavit "sandwich" had virtually no microleakage, while Ketac-Silver and IRM exhibited gross microleakage.