Apical leakage of a new glass ionomer root canal sealer

A new glass ionomer root canal sealer (Ketac-Endo) has been developed. The purpose of this study was to compare the apical leakage of Ketac-Endo and AH26 using two different filling techniques and a controlled vacuum procedure. Sixty-four extracted human maxillary anterior teeth were instrumented and divided into four groups of 15 roots each. The groups were obturated as follows: group 1, a single cone technique and Ketac-Endo; group 2, a lateral condensation technique and Ketac-Endo; group 3, a single cone technique and AH26; and group 4, a lateral condensation technique and AH26. After storage in 100% humidity at 37 degrees C for 1 wk, the root surfaces were coated with two layers of nail polish and sticky wax. All specimens were immersed in a vacuum flask containing 2% methylene blue dye solution. The air was evacuated with a vacuum pump. The roots were sectioned longitudinally, and the linear extent of dye penetration was measured. Statistical analysis revealed that there were no significant differences between any of the groups.