Diminished leakage along root canals filled with gutta-percha without sealer over time: a laboratory study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term seal of gutta-percha (GP) without sealer.


METHODS
Extracted human maxillary central incisors were prepared and obturated using heat- or chloroform-softened GP only, or GP in combination with a root canal sealer. Leakage along root fillings was measured at 48 h and after a period of 6 months using a fluid transport model.


RESULTS
At 48 h the GP-filled roots without sealer leaked more than the control roots filled with GP and sealer (P < 0.0001). At 6 months a significant reduction in leakage was found in the GP-only groups (P < 0.05 for both heat- and chloroform-softened GP). After 6 months, roots filled by vertical condensation of GP-only had similar leakage as vertically condensed GP with a sealer (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The long-term seal of root fillings is affected by the volume change of both GP and sealer. Leakage reduction due to expansion of GP may compensate to a certain extent for leakage that may occur from sealer dissolution.
Wu
M K
MK
Department of Cariology Endodontology Pedodontology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands. M.Wu@acta.nl
Fan
B
B
Wesselink
P R
PR
D001453:Balsams / Q000737:chemistry; D001729:Bismuth / Q000737:chemistry; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide / Q000737:chemistry; D003763:Dental Leakage / Q000209:etiology*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D006171:Gutta-Percha / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor; D008437:Maxilla; D008709:Methenamine / Q000737:chemistry; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012459:Salicylates / Q000737:chemistry; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement / Q000737:chemistry
D001453:Balsams; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D012459:Salicylates; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement; C055601:Sealapex; D012834:Silver; C028044:epoxy resin AH-26; C029585:Kloroperka; C076543:Kerr Pulp Canal Sealer; D006171:Gutta-Percha; D014025:Titanium; D008709:Methenamine; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide; D015034:Zinc Oxide; D001729:Bismuth