Linear dye penetration of a calcium phosphate cement apical barrier

Linear dye penetration was evaluated in teeth with open apices in which calcium phosphate cement was used as an apical barrier to facilitate obturation. The apical foramens of 42 extracted single-rooted human teeth were opened to a size 90 file. Half the teeth received apical barriers consisting of calcium phosphate cement (CPC) followed by obturation using a customized gutta-percha cone/ lateral condensation technique. The other half were obturated without benefit of apical barriers. Linear dye penetration was measured after 48 h exposure to India ink. The teeth receiving apical CPC barriers before obturation had significantly less dye penetration than teeth without apical barriers. Based on its proven biocompatibility and osteconductive potential, calcium phosphate cement may serve well as a replacement for calcium hydroxide in a single-visit immediate apical barrier apexification technique.