The usefulness of dye-penetration studies reexamined.
An in vitro study to determine the usefulness of dye-penetration studies was conducted. In part I, teeth were prepared through the foramen and then left open, either apically, coronally, or at both ends. In all cases, the dye did not penetrate the full length of the canal. The only exception was when both ends were left open and the teeth were placed into the dye in an upright position. In part II, a measurable defect in a canal filling the length of the canal was created and left open apically. When the tooth was immersed in dye, the penetration was incomplete. When the air was removed by vacuum pump prior to placement in the dye, the penetration was total. The validity of dye studies that do not consider entrapped air is open to question.
Goldman
M
M
Department of Endodontics, School of Dental Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111.
Simmonds
S
S
Rush
R
R
D004396:Coloring Agents; D003763:Dental Leakage / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006171:Gutta-Percha / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000379:methods; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014618:Vacuum; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement / Q000008:administration & dosage
D004396:Coloring Agents; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement; D006171:Gutta-Percha; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite