Artificial floor technique used for the repair of furcation perforations: a microleakage study

Access openings and furcation perforations were prepared in 45 human extracted teeth randomly divided into three equal groups. Furcation perforations were obtruded using only a resin-modified, glass-ionomer material (Vitrebond) in the first group. Calcium sulfate and hydroxylapatite were used as artificial floors under the Vitrebond in the second and third groups, respectively. Pulp chambers and access openings were filled with composite resin. After immersion in 2% methylene blue solution for 2 wk, the teeth were sectioned and dye penetration was measured under a stereomicroscope using a NIH Image 1.47 Macintosh program. Results indicated that calcium sulfate and hydroxylapatite artificial floors significantly improved the sealing ability of Vitrebond and provided successful barriers against its overextension.