The influence of root canal shape on the sealing ability of two root canal sealers.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the influence of root canal form on the sealing ability of two root canal sealers.


METHODS
Twenty radiographically confirmed straight and 20 curved root canals were prepared with a stepback hand filing technique. Root canal aberrations created during preparation were determined by the use of double exposure radiographic technique. The prepared canals were filled with lateral condensation of gutta-percha and one or other of two root canal sealers (Pulp Canal Sealer and Sealapex). Leakage along the apical 10 mm of roots was measured with a fluid transport model at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12-month intervals.


RESULTS
There were no statistically significant differences between straight and curved root canals (P > 0.05) for prevalence of root canal transportation. The prevalence of apical transportation was 80% in the straight and 85% in the curved root canals. A complete seal was more frequently observed in straight canals compared with curved canals. Utilizing the pi* index, analysis showed the filling with Sealapex allowed more leakage than Pulp Canal Sealer at 1 year.


CONCLUSIONS
Under the conditions of the study, root canal form influenced short-term sealing ability. In the long-term the seal was affected by the sealer rather than root canal form.
Faculty for Dental Sciences, Medical and Health Science Centre, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary. juhasz@jaguar.unideb.hu
A
A
Juhász
E
E
Verdes
L
L
Tokés
A
A
Kóbor
C
C
Dobó-Nagy
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide; D003763:Dental Leakage; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation; D012459:Salicylates; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement
D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D012459:Salicylates; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement; C055601:Sealapex; C076543:Kerr Pulp Canal Sealer; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide