An In Vitro Comparative Evaluation of Apical Leakage Using Different Root Canal Sealers

Area of Science:

• Endodontics
• Dental Materials Science
• Restorative Dentistry

Background:

• Achieving a fluid-tight apical seal is crucial for successful endodontic therapy.
• In vitro evaluation of root canal sealer performance is essential for clinical practice.
• Comparing different obturation techniques and sealer combinations provides valuable insights.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate and compare the apical sealing ability of Apexit Plus, AH Plus, and Resilon/Epiphany root canal sealers.
• To assess the influence of two preparation and obturation techniques on apical leakage.
• To determine the most effective combination for achieving a fluid-tight apical seal.

Main Methods:

• 152 single-rooted teeth were prepared using either step-back or crown-down techniques.
• Root canals were obturated with specific sealer/gutta-percha or sealer/Thermafil combinations.
• Apical leakage was quantified using a dye penetration test and stereomicroscopic observation.

Main Results:

• The Resilon/Epiphany system exhibited lower average dye leakage compared to AH Plus and Apexit Plus with both preparation techniques.
• The crown-down preparation technique combined with the Resilon/Epiphany system resulted in the least apical leakage.
• All tested techniques demonstrated some degree of dye penetration, highlighting the challenge of achieving a perfect seal.

Conclusions:

• The crown-down preparation technique, when used with the Resilon/Epiphany system, offers the most effective apical seal among the tested methods.
• While all techniques showed leakage, Resilon/Epiphany generally outperformed AH Plus and Apexit Plus in preventing apical microleakage.
• Further research may explore long-term clinical outcomes of these combinations.