Evaluating the Sealing Ability of MTA as a Root Canal Sealing Material

Abstract

This study was to evaluate the potential of using mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as a root canal sealing material via comparing its apical sealing ability with that of the most commonly used root canal sealer (Dorifill) zinc oxide based sealer , twenty-eight extracted human single rooted teeth were selected for use in this study . All teeth were prepared in standard manner using hand instruments, randomly divided into two groups of twelve teeth each and a control group of four teeth. Root canals in the two experimental groups were filled laterally condensed gutta percha and either MTA or zinc oxide based (Dorifill) sealer. After sealers had set, the root surfaces were coated with nail varnish except 1 mm at the apex of the root . Positive controls had no root filling and were coated with nail varnish in the same manner, while the negative controls were sealed only entirely with nail varnish. The teeth were immersed into 1% methylene blue dye for 72 hours. The teeth were cleared and the linear extent of dye penetration was measured with a stereomicroscope. Group (MTA) showed significantly less apical dye penetration than group 2 . Positive controls had total leakage and negative controls had no leakage. The study demonstrate that MTA provide an apical seal that is superior to that of zinc oxide based root canal sealer (Dorifill).