A comparative evaluation of postobturation apical seal following intracanal irrigation with maleic acid and EDTA: a dye leakage under vacuum study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to evaluate the postobturation apical seal following irrigation with 7% maleic acid (MA) or 17% EDTA using dye leakage under vacuum method.


METHODS
Seventy single-rooted human anterior teeth were subjected to root canal instrumentation. Based on the final irrigating solution used, samples were divided into 3 groups: (1) 17% EDTA + 2.5% NaOCl, (2) 7% MA + 2.5% NaOCl, (3) 0.9% saline. Then samples were obturated and placed in 2% rhodamine B dye solution under vacuum pressure for 30 minutes and allowed to remain in the dye for 7 days. Samples were then longitudinally split and examined for dye leakage under stereomicroscope. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test.


RESULTS
MA showed the least apical leakage compared with EDTA and saline. Saline showed maximum leakage.


CONCLUSIONS
Final irrigation with 7% MA improved the postobturation apical seal compared with 17% EDTA.
Ballal
Nidambur Vasudev
NV
Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, Karnataka, India. drballal@yahoo.com
Kundabala
Mala
M
Bhat
Kadengodlu Seetharama
KS
D001840:Dental Bonding; D003763:Dental Leakage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018772:Dental Marginal Adaptation; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000187:drug effects; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008298:Maleates / Q000737:chemistry*; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000737:chemistry*; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000379:methods; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000737:chemistry; D019227:Tooth Apex
D004338:Drug Combinations; D008298:Maleates; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; C030272:maleic acid; D004492:Edetic Acid; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite