An evaluation of the effect of methylene blue dye pH on apical leakage

The effect of varying the pH of 2% methylene blue dye on apical leakage was evaluated. Eighty-four roots of extracted human teeth were used in this study. The roots were endodontically cleaned and shaped, obturated, apically resected, and amalgam or Temporary Endodontic Restorative Material retrofillings were placed. The roots were immersed for 7 days in dye solutions of controlled pH of 1, 2, 3, 5, or 7, or in a 2% unbuffered deionized water solution of methylene blue. The results demonstrated significantly less leakage in the pH 1 and 2 amalgam groups. All other amalgam groups and the Temporary Endodontic Restorative Material groups showed no significant differences attributable to pH. Temporary Endodontic Restorative Material retrofilling groups demonstrated statistically significantly less apical leakage at each pH evaluated than the amalgam-retrofilled groups. Additionally, a significant buffering effect of the root structure on the dye solutions was measured.