A quantitative evaluation of apical leakage of four root-canal sealers

Aim: This in vitro study evaluated the microleakage of root fillings involving four root-canal sealers including AH Plus (De-Trey, Switzerland), RoekoSeal (Roeko, Germany), Ketac-Endo (ESPE, Germany) and Sultan (Sultan Chemists, USA). Methodology: Forty extracted human maxillary anterior teeth were used. The coronal part of each tooth was removed and the root canals were prepared using the step-back technique and apical enlargement to size 60 file. The specimens were randomly divided into four groups of 10 samples, filled with one of the test materials and gutta-percha cones by the cold lateral condensation technique. A fluid filtration method was used for quantitative evaluation of apical leakage. The leakage was measured by the movement of an air bubble in a capillary glass tube connected to the experimental root section. Measurements of fluid movement were made at 2-min intervals for 8 min. Water transport through existing voids in the obturated canals could be measured reproducibly in this way. The quality of the seal of each specimen was measured after 7, 14 and 21 days. Results: Statistical analysis indicated that all the root fillings showed less leakage after 21 days (P < 0.05). Fillings incorporating Sultan showed significantly more leakage than all other sealers. Conclusions: Root fillings with RoekoSeal in combination with cold lateral condensation technique showed better sealing than those with Ketac-Endo, AH Plus and Sultan sealers after 21 days. The fluid filtration test used in this study gave quantitative results and allowed nondestructive long-term evaluation of specimens.