A comparison of coronal microleakage of different intraorifice sealing materials

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess and compare in vitro the sealing ability of seven intraorifice sealing materials to prevent coronal microleakage in root canal treatment.

Methods: Root canal treatment was performed on 118 extracted human premolars. Each tooth was randomly assigned to a group receiving intraorifice sealing using one of the 7 filling materials: 2 temporary sealing materials, 3 flowable composites, an universal composite, and amalgam to replace 3 millimeters of gutta percha from the coronal aspect of the root canal . 20 premolars were used as positive and negative control. Specimens underwent thermocycling for 1000 cycles (5 to 55 ) and dye penetration in Indian ink. The teeth were photographed under a stereomicroscope to evaluate the dye penetration into the sealing material and along canal walls. Data were compared between groups with the chi-square test.

Results: None dye penetration into the root canal was found in the two flowable composites groups X-Flow™ and Beautifil Flo. Another flowable composite Filtek™ Supreme XT sealed as well as the universal composite Z100™ (21% and 29% of specimens with dye penetration) (p>0.05) and significantly better than the two temperary sealing materials Cavit and IRM (71% and 85% of specimens with dye penetration)(p<0.01). Amalgam exhibited the highest leakage (100% of specimens with dye penetration).

Conclusion: The intraorifice sealing performance of the tested materials in endodontically treated teeth was material-dependent. The use of flowable composites can achieve a better coronal seal comparable to that achieved with temporary filling materials and Amalgam.