Apical microleakage in root canals obturated with lateral compaction, warm vertical compaction and Gutta-Flow techniques (in vitro study)

Abstract

The sealing ability of root canal filling materials is crucial to the goal of
preventing reinfection via microleakage of microorganisms and their by-products.
Thirty palatal canals of 12mm length from extracted upper first molars were selected
then instrumented and divided into 3 groups. Group I was obturated with lateral
compaction technique, group II was obturated with warm vertical compaction
technique and group III was obturated with Gutta-Flow system. Except for the apical
2 mm, all other segments of roots for the 3 groups received two layers of nail varnish
and immersed in a methylene blue 2% and stored at 37Cº for 30 days. Under
stereomicroscope liner dye leakage was measured. No statistical difference was found
between lateral compaction, warm vertical compaction and Gutta-Flow sealing ability.